(P20-102-24) Eating Patterns of American Children and Adults by Race/Ethnicity: A NHANES 2011–2018 Analysis

Objectives: To assess differences in food group intakes (vegetables, fruits, whole grains, dairy, etc.) in servings, percentage of the population below recommendations, and diet quality by race/ethnicity.

Methods: Data from NHANES 2011-2018 for age 2+ years were used and food groups intakes were estimated from the first 24-hour in-person dietary recall. The intakes of MyPlate food groups and Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2015 scores (total and components) were analyzed by age and ethnicity. The usual intakes (UI) determined using the National Cancer Institute method, were compared with USDA recommended ranges. The percent population < lower limits of recommended intakes (%< LL) were obtained from the UI distribution and stratified by age and ethnicity.

Results: Among children/adults average HEI-2015 scores were 48.3/50.9; UI of food groups were 2.03/1.57 cups eq, 1.07/0.90 cups eq, 0.88/1.57 cups eq, 4.08/6.31 oz eq and 6.69/6.59 oz eq and %< LL was 77%/92%, 67%/88%, 96%/87%, 51%/41% and 15/45% for dairy, fruit, vegetables, MPF (meat, poultry & fish) and grains, respectively.

Asian children and adults had the highest HEI-2015 total score compared to other ethnicities (2-4 points higher in children and 5-8 points higher in adults).

Compared to children of other ethnicities, NH-Blacks consumed lowest amount of dairy, Hispanics and Asians consumed highest amount of fruit and grain, and Asians consumed the highest amount of vegetables. There were no ethnic differences in the amount of MPF intake. Similarly, among adults, NH-Whites consumed the highest amount of dairy, Asians consumed highest amount of fruits and vegetables, NH-Blacks consumed highest amount of MPF, and Hispanics consumed highest amount of grains compared to other ethnicities.

Compared to other ethnicities, among NH-Black children %< LL was highest for dairy and fruit and lowest for MPF, and among Asian children %< LL was lowest for vegetables, and there were no overall ethnic differences for grain %< LL. Similarly, among adults, %< LL was highest for dairy among Asians, highest for fruit, vegetables, and grains and lowest for MPF among NH-Blacks, and highest for fruit among NH-Whites.

Conclusions: The results of this analysis show the ethnic differences in diet quality, food group intakes and inadequacies and provide insight for dietary recommendations based on ethnicity.

Funding Sources: National Dairy Council