Premium
DHA and EPA consumption from seafood, US Adults, 2009–2012
Author(s) -
Nielsen Samara Joy,
Herrick Kirsten A,
Ogden Cynthia L
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.677.5
Subject(s) - fish <actinopterygii> , food science , food frequency questionnaire , medicine , serving size , population , consumption (sociology) , zoology , environmental health , national health and nutrition examination survey , docosahexaenoic acid , polyunsaturated fatty acid , fatty acid , biology , fishery , social science , biochemistry , sociology
Background The 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans Committee recommend two servings of fish per week (8 oz) and 250 mg/day of DHA and EPA from seafood. Objective To estimate the frequency of DHA and EPA consumption from seafood consumed in the past thirty days in 2009–2012. Design In the 2009–2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a cross‐sectional nationally representative sample of the US population, seafood consumption was collected during a 30‐day food frequency questionnaire from 10,563 adults 20 years and older. DHA and EPA, long chain omega 3 fatty acids, are predominantly found in seafood. Specific seafood varieties were classified as high or low in omega 3 fatty acids based upon designation by USDA. DHA and EPA consumption was calculated based upon estimates for EPA and DHA in 4 ounces of specific seafood varieties and an assumed portion size of 4 ounces for each eating occasion. Results In 2009–2012, 24.7% (1.0) of US adults consumed seafood two or more times/week. Almost 6% (5.9% (0.5)) of adults consumed seafood high in omega 3s and 12.8% (0.7) consumed seafood low in omega 3s two or more times/week. Among all adults, mean DHA and EPA intake was 65 (2.6) mg/day; for adults who consumed seafood two or more times/week mean intake was 180 (5.0) mg/day. Among adults who consumed seafood high in omega 3s two or more times/week, mean DHA and EPA intake was 318 (12.4) mg/day. Among adults who consumed seafood low in omega 3s two or more times/week, mean DHA and EPA intake was 198 (9.0) mg/day. Conclusions Most Americans are consuming less fish/seafood than is recommended, and consequently less DHA and EPA than recommended.