(P24-028-24) Global Intakes of Minimally Processed Plant-Based Foods Amongst Youth Aged 0–19

Objectives: Minimally processed plant-based diets offer a nutritious, sustainable strategy to support cardiometabolic health in youth. However, global intake patterns among children and adolescents by regions, nations, and demographics haven’t been reported, and we aim to address this gap in knowledge.

Methods: Leveraging the Global Dietary Database, we examined fruit, vegetable, potato, and legume/bean consumption from age 0-19 years in 185 countries from 1990-2018. Analyses were jointly stratified by age, sex, education, and urbanicity within each country. Bayesian hierarchical models addressed varied survey methodologies, representativeness, temporal patterns, and uncertainty in data inputs. All intakes were energy-adjusted to age-specific energy levels.

Results: In 2018, global total consumption of fruits, non-starchy and other starchy vegetables, potatoes, and beans/legumes increased by age: 0-11 months: 1.5, 12-23 months: 1.9, 2-5 years: 2.1, 6-10 years: 2.5, 11-14 years: 3.3, and 15-19 years: 3.6 servings/day. Among the 25 most populous nations and by age, highest total consumption (servings/day) was in Italy for 0- 11 (5.7) and 12-23 (3.8) months, Japan for 2-5 years (3.5), and Mexico for 6-10 (4.6), 11-14 (6.1), and 15-19 (6.5) years. Intake was higher in urban vs. rural children for fruits (+42.0%) and starchy vegetables (+18.2%); and in children with higher vs. lower educated households for fruit (+73.3%) and starchy vegetables (+16.9%). Intake in children was lower in higher vs. lower educated households for beans (-10.9%); and in boys vs. girls for fruits (-10.3%) and starchy vegetables (-8.8%).

Conclusions: These first ever findings on global plant-based food consumption in children and adolescents inform national surveillance, policy, and public health initiatives.

Funding Sources: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation