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Ready‐To‐Eat Cereal Consumption is Associated with Improved Nutrient Intakes and Nutrient Adequacy in Lower Income Children and Teens: Results from NHANES 2007–2012
Author(s) -
Gugger Carolyn K,
Bidwai Samruddhi,
Joshi Nandan,
Holschuh Nort M.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.30.1_supplement.677.16
Subject(s) - nutrient , micronutrient , vitamin , vitamin c , medicine , zoology , fortification , consumption (sociology) , dietary reference intake , low income , calorie , environmental health , food science , biology , endocrinology , socioeconomics , economics , ecology , social science , pathology , sociology
This study examined food and nutrient intakes and nutrient adequacy in children (4–12 yr, n =2818) and teens (13–18 yr, n =1343) living in households qualifying for government nutrition assistance programs (Poverty Income Ratio <185%) by ready‐to‐eat cereal consumption pattern (RTEC). Among participants, 45.8% of children and 29.6% of teens were classified as RTEC eaters based on day‐1 dietary intakes from NHANES 2007–2012. USDA Food Patterns Equivalents Database was used to assess consumption of dairy and whole grain (WG). Across all ages, RTEC eaters had significantly (p<0.05) higher intakes of key micronutrients, including calcium, vitamin D, and iron (p<0.0001), but similar intakes of total calories compared to non‐RTEC eaters. Total sugar intake was similar between groups for children only. RTEC contributed a substantial percentage of daily micronutrients in children and teens: vitamin D (18, 21%), folate (50, 53%), iron (45, 50%) and vitamin A (31, 38%). RTEC was the largest contributor to WG intake in children (54%) and teens (59%), and RTEC consumption was associated with significantly higher intakes of WG and dairy compared to non‐RTEC eaters (p<0.05). In both age groups, a higher percentage of non‐RTEC eaters did not meet daily Estimated Average Requirements for zinc, vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium and vitamin D compared to RTEC‐eaters. These findings support the role of RTEC as a nutrient dense food and a significant source of key nutrients and WG in the diets of American children from lower income households. Support or Funding Information Funded by the Bell Institute of Health and Nutrition, General Mills, Inc.