(P13-019-25) Examining Dietary Patterns in the American Population

Objectives: To estimate distributions of usual intake for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Pattern components in individuals ages 19 and older and for the first time, across sociodemographic groups by food security, poverty income ratio (PIR), race and ethnicity, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) receipt.

Methods: The National Cancer Institute (NCI) method was applied to dietary data from 24-hour recalls obtained from the 2011-18 U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Food and beverage intake data from NHANES is coded with the Food and Nutrient Database for Dietary Studies and converted into 37 USDA Food Patterns components through linkages with the corresponding Food Patterns Equivalents Databases. We compared group-level distribution curves using visual inspection of point-wise confidence intervals for a comprehensive range of percentiles.

Results: Few individuals living in the United States meet the Dietary Guidelines recommendations for Fruits, Vegetables, Whole Grains, Refined Grains, Dairy and Fortified Soy Alternatives, and Added Sugars. Considering race and ethnicity, results showed that individuals who were non-Hispanic Asian consumed the most Fruit, Vegetables, and Whole Grains and consumed the least Added Sugars. Those classified as food secure, who had a PIR ≥1.85, or who did not receive SNAP benefits consumed more Fruit, Vegetables, Whole Grains, and Protein Foods and less Added Sugars and Refined Grains compared to those classified as food insecure, who had a PIR < 1.85, or who received SNAP benefits.

Conclusions: Most individuals living in the United States do not meet dietary recommendations regardless of sociodemographic group. However, differences in consumption illustrate a range in magnitude of “not meeting recommendations”. Numerous factors and socioeconomic complexities are not captured in the analysis of these variables. For example, those receiving SNAP benefits live below the poverty level and face distinct challenges compared to those ineligible to receive SNAP. Despite these constraints, these results can generate hypotheses about the conditions that can facilitate or inhibit meeting dietary recommendations.

Funding Sources: None