(P01-008-25) Major Food Sources of Carotenoid and Vitamin A Intake in Infants and Toddlers (0-24mo) Using NHANES 2017-2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the major food sources of carotenoids and provitamin A carotenoids by age group.

Methods: This study included 1,035 NHANES 2017–2020 participants (53% male, 47% female). Dietary intake was assessed via two 24-hour dietary recalls, with food items coded using the USDA’s Food and Nutrient Database for Dietary Studies. Intake of provitamin A carotenoids (β-carotene, α-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin), non-provitamin A carotenoids (lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin), total carotenoids, pre-formed vitamin A (PVA), and vitamin A from carotenoids (VAC) was calculated. NHANES does not quantify human milk intake or its contributions, so dietary reports lacked these values.

Results: PVA was primarily found in infant formulas and baby foods, with the highest intake in the 0–6-month range (93.13±1.22 mcg of retinol activity equivalents, RAE), and PVA intake decreased with age. Milk and dairy also contributed a large proportion of PVA intake, with the highest in the 12-24-month range (52.67±1.10 mcg RAE). Baby vegetables and general vegetables were the highest contributors of VAC, TCI, and PVA with the 0-6-month group consuming the largest amount, and intake of all decreased with age. Mixed dishes and fruits also contributed a large amount of VAC, with the mean contributions increasing with age. Additionally, mixed dishes contributed a large portion of TCI, with the 12-24-month group consuming the most (36.99±2.29 mcg RAE). Relative to the other two age groups, the 12-24-month group displayed approximately a 12-fold increase in mean consumption of eggs and a two-fold increase in fruits, that contributed to TCI.

Conclusions: This study uniquely analyzed major food sources of carotenoids and provitamin A carotenoids using a nationally representative dataset. Overall, baby vegetables were the greatest source of TCI in 0-6 month and 6–12-month groups, and mixed dishes in the 12–24-month group. These findings indicate important foods that support US children’s carotenoid intake across early feeding.

Funding Sources: N/A