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Dietary Patterns (Poster Session)

(P22-064-24) Trends in the Prevalence of Foods High in Saturated Fats, Sodium, and Sugar in the U.S. Diet, NHANES 2007-2018

Monday, July 1, 2024
12:45 PM – 1:45 PM CT
Location: Poster Board 339
Disclosure(s):
Gabriela Vatavuk-Serrati, MPH: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.


Objectives: To describe the trends in foods high in saturated fats, sodium, and sugar (HFSS) among the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) participants, between 2007 and 2018.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study, using data from NHANES 2007-2018 linked to the Food Patterns Equivalents (FPED) and the What We Eat in America (WWEIA) Food Categories. The analytic sample included participants aged 2 and above with at least one 24-hour dietary recall and complete data for selected sociodemographic characteristics. Processed and ultra-processed food items were classified as HFSS according to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) nutrient profile. Analyses accounted for complex survey design. Frequencies were estimated using chi2. The average proportion of kilocalories (kcal) from HFSS was estimated using linear regression, with the survey cycle included as a covariate. Analyses were stratified between children ( < 19 years) and adults (19 and above).

Results: 43,484 participants were included (27,974 adults and 15,510 children). Among adults, the proportion of kcal from foods high in saturated fats increased from 29.7 to 35.9% (6.2 p.p.; 95% CI: 4.4, 8.0); high in sodium increased from 44.4 to 47.2% (2.8 p.p., 95% CI: 1.1, 4.5); and high in 2 nutrients increased from 30.9 to 36.2% (5.3 p.p., 95% CI: 3.5, 7.1). Intake of foods high in sugar decreased from 24.1 to 22.6% (-1.5 p.p.; 95% CI: -2.9, -0.1). Among children, intake of foods high in sodium increased from 45.0 to 49.9% (4.9 p.p.; 95% CI: 2.7, 7.1); high in saturated fats increased from 32.5 to 38.3% (5.8 p.p., 95% CI: 3.5, 8.1); and high in 2 nutrients increased from 35.4 to 42.6% (7.1 p.p., 95% CI: 4.7, 9.5).

Conclusions: Intake of foods high in sugar decreased among adults, but foods high in sodium, saturated fats, and 2 of the nutrients of concern, increased between 2007 and 2018. These nutrients are associated with overweight, obesity, and noncommunicable diseases, and their intake should be limited as a healthy eating intervention.

Funding Sources: This work was funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies.