Impact of Fruit and Vegetable Intakes on Food and Nutrient Intakes of Adults: What We Eat In America, NHANES 2017-2018

Authors: Bowman, Shanthy

Submitted to: Worldwide Web Site: Food Surveys Research Group
Publication Type: Research Technical Update
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/17/2022
Publication Date: 10/21/2022
Citation: Bowman, S.A. 2022. Impact of Fruit and Vegetable Intakes on Food and Nutrient Intakes of Adults: What We Eat In America, NHANES 2017-2018. Worldwide Web Site: Food Surveys Research Group. Available: https://www.ars.usda.gov/nea/bhnrc/fsrg/wweia/dbrief.

Interpretive Summary: The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025 (DGA) recommend individuals eat 4.5 cup equivalents (eq.) of fruit and vegetables (FV) per 2000 calories, which translates to 2.25 cup eq. per 1000 calories. This study compared selected food pattern food group and nutrient intakes of adults, ages 20 years and over, using WWEIA, NHANES 2017-2018 dietary data. The adults were divided into three groups: (1) those who met 100% of the DGA recommendation, (2) met 50% to <100%, and (3) met >0% to <50%. Overall, 14% of adults fully met the recommendation, 32% between 50 to <100%, and 53% between >0 to <50%. One-tenth of males and about one-fifth of females fully met the recommendation. Estimated energy intakes significantly decreased with an increase in FV intakes. Meeting FV recommendation was associated with lower energy, macronutrient, saturated fat, and added sugars intakes as well as lower total dairy and total meat, poultry, and seafood intakes. About one-half of the adults eating at least 100% of recommended amount of FV met the saturated fat recommendation, and about three-fourth of these adults met added sugars recommendation. In comparison, only about one-fifth of the adults eating 0% to <50% of recommended amount of FV met the saturated fat recommendation, and about one-third of these adults met added sugars recommendation. Meeting FV recommendation was also associated with higher vitamins A, C, and K and potassium intakes and lower vitamin B12, phosphorus, zinc, and sodium intakes. The study showed meeting the DGA FV recommendation may be a way to control energy, saturated fat, and sodium intakes.

Technical Abstract: The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025 (DGA) recommend individuals eat 4.5 cup equivalents (eq.) of fruit and vegetables (FV) per 2000 calories, which translates to 2.25 cup eq. per 1000 calories. This study used What We Eat in America (WWEIA), NHANES 2017-2018 food pattern and nutrient data and compared the dietary and nutrient intakes of adults 20+ years meeting FV recommendation at different levels: (1) >= 2.25 cup eq./1000 calories or 100% (N=750), (2) 1.125 to <2.25 cup eq. or 50% to <100% (N=1502), and (3) >0 to less than 1.125 cup eq. (>0% to <50%) (N=2372). The adults (N=117) who did not eat FV intake were excluded. Means were compared and two means were considered significantly different at p-value <0.01. Overall, 14% of adults fully met the recommendation, 32% between 50 to <100%, and 53% between >0 to <50%. One-tenth of males and about one-fifth of females fully met the recommendation. Adults who consumed at least 100% of FV recommendation had 389 and 639 calories less than the adults who ate at 50% to <100% and 0% to <50% of recommendation, respectively. Adults meeting more than 50% of the recommendation, ate more than one-half of the total fruit as whole/intact fruit, as recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Meeting FV recommendation was associated with significantly more adults meeting the Dietary Guidelines recommendations for saturated fat and added sugars.