Ready-to-eat (RTE) cereal is a popular food among children. However, there are no recent data on the associations between RTE cereal consumption and dietary outcomes in the U.S. Therefore, we sought to investigate how RTE cereal was associated with nutrient and food group intakes and overall dietary quality among children aged 0.5 to 17 years using the latest data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 2015–2016). Thirty-six percent of children reported consuming RTE cereal. RTE cereal eaters consumed the same number of calories as non-eaters but had higher intakes of total carbohydrates, total sugar, fiber, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin D, as well as lower intakes of total fat and saturated fat (p ≤ 0.0007). We also found that children who consumed RTE cereal had 29% higher total dairy intake (p < 0.0001) and 61% higher whole grain intake (p < 0.0001). Lastly, children who ate RTE cereal had higher diet quality than the children that did not eat RTE cereal, as shown by Healthy Eating Index 2015 total score (52.6 versus 47.7, p < 0.0001). Therefore, consumption of whole-grain fortified RTE cereals should be encouraged as part of healthy dietary patterns for children.

This study examined differences in dietary intake between ready-to-eat cereal eaters and non-eaters in adults from the United States. Participants (n = 5163) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015–2016 were included. One-day dietary recall was used to define ready-to-eat cereal consumption status and estimate dietary intake in eaters and non-eaters. Data from Food Patterns Equivalent Database 2015–2016 were used to compare intakes of food groups by consumption status. Diet quality was assessed by Healthy Eating Index 2015. Nineteen percent of US adults were ready-to-eat cereal eaters; they had a similar level of energy intake as non-eaters, but they had significantly higher intake of dietary fiber, and several vitamins and minerals, such as calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin D. They were also more likely to meet nutrient recommendations. Compared to non-eaters, ready-to-eat cereal eaters had the same level of added sugar intake but they had significantly higher intake of whole grains, total fruits, and dairy products. The diet quality of ready-to-eat cereal eaters was significantly higher than that of non-eaters. The study supports that ready-to-eat cereal eaters have better dietary intake with a healthier dietary pattern than non-eaters in the United States.

The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends consumption of a healthy dietary pattern that includes nutrient-dense vegetables, fruits, whole grains, dairy, protein foods, and oils. However, many Americans are falling short on consuming the recommended amount of these food groups and greater disparities may exist within certain sociodemographic groups. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine where Americans were falling short in intake of food groups when stratified by sociodemographic characteristics and to determine which foods in the American diet were the top sources of whole grains and nutrients of public health concern (calcium, vitamin D, potassium, fiber and iron [for women and adolescent girls of childbearing age]). Methods: Data on consumption of food groups for Americans 2 years and older (excluding pregnant and lactating women; n=7,814) were taken from the Food Patterns Equivalent Database (FPED) 2015-2016. Usual intake of food groups was calculated based on 2 24-hr recalls using the National Cancer Institute method and National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) study weights. Top food sources of nutrients in the diet were calculated using NHANES 2015-2016 day 1 24-hr dietary recall data and foods were grouped according to the What We Eat in America categorization. Results: Over half of Americans 2 years and older met the intake recommendations for protein foods, oils, and total grains; however, far fewer met the recommendations for vegetables (12%), fruits (15%), whole grains (1%), or dairy (8%) intake. Patterns were similar across age groups although children and older adults were generally more likely to meet recommendations than adolescents and younger adults. Compared to men and boys, women and girls were more likely to meet recommendations for vegetables (14% vs 9%) and fruits (17% vs. 13%), and less likely to meet recommendations for total grains (50% vs 62%), dairy (5% vs 12%) and protein foods (43% vs 62%). The percent meeting recommendations for fruits, vegetables, whole grains and dairy remained low across racial/ethnic groups. Milk, ready-to-eat cereals, pizza, sandwiches, and breads were among the top sources of whole grains and the nutrients of public health concern for children. For adults, key foods included breads, ready-to-eat cereals, milk, and Mexican mixed dishes. Conclusion: Shifts in dietary patterns are needed to meet current recommendations across all age, gender, and racial/ethnic groups in the U.S. Increasing the intake of key foods such as milk, ready-to-eat cereal, bread and mixed dishes may help Americans increase intake of under-consumed food groups and nutrients.

Objectives Yogurt is a popular food in the United Kingdom. It has been reported that yogurt consumption is associated with improved nutrient intake and diet quality in other countries. The objective of this study was to examine frequency of yogurt consumption and its association with dietary intake and diet quality in children and adults in the United Kingdom. Methods Children aged 1.5–18 years old (N = 1912) and adults aged 19 years or older (N = 2064) from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey year 7 to year 9 (2014/15–2016/17) were included in the study. Four-day diet diary data were used to classify participants by frequency of yogurt consumption based on the number of days with yogurt consumption (non-eaters, 0 day; occasional eaters, 1–2 days; regular eaters, 3–4 days). Dietary intake was calculated as the average intake across 4 days for each participant. Associations between frequency of yogurt consumption and dietary intake were assessed by survey multiple linear regression, adjusted for age, gender, equivalized family income levels, and calorie intake. Diet quality was assessed using a modified version of the Nutrient Rich Food Index 9.3. Results Thirty-six % of children and 25% of adults were occasional yogurt eaters and 16% of children and 14% of adults were regular eaters. In children, regular yogurt eaters had significantly higher intake of total energy, total sugar, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, folate, vitamin C, vitamin D, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, iodine, with lower intake of fat, than non-eaters and/or occasional eaters (P &lt; 0.05 for all). Similar results were found in adults except that intake of fat and vitamin A was not different, whereas intake of protein, carbohydrate, vitamin B6, vitamin E, iron, selenium and manganese was also significantly higher, together with significantly lower intake of sodium, in regular yogurt eaters, compare to non-eaters and/or occasional eaters (P &lt; 0.05 for all). Diet quality was positively associated with frequency of yogurt consumption in both children and adults (P &lt; 0.05 for both). Conclusions Frequent yogurt consumption is associated with better dietary intake and diet quality in children and adults in the United Kingdom. Funding Sources The study was funded by the Bell Institute of Health and Nutrition, General Mills, Inc.

Objectives Previous studies have shown that consumption of ready-to-eat (RTE) cereal is associated with higher dietary intake of vitamin D; however, little is known about the association between RTE cereal consumption and vitamin D status measured by the serum biomarker, 25-hydroxyvitamin D. The study was conducted to examine association between consumption of RTE cereal and serum level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, the clinical biomarker for vitamin D status in children and adults in the United States. Methods Children aged 1–18 years old (N = 2553) and adults aged 19 years or older (N = 4901) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013–2014 were included in the study. Day 1 dietary data were used to classify participants by RTE cereal consumption status. Vitamin D deficiency and inadequacy were assessed by serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitaminD using cut-off values recommended by the National Academy of Medicine. Adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using survey logistic regression for associations between RTEC consumption and vitamin D status in children and adults. Results Both children and adults who reported RTE cereal consumption had a significantly higher level of serum 25-hydroxyitamin D than children and adults who did not consume RTE cereal (P &lt; 0.05). Adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, family income to poverty ratio, season of data collection, and use of vitamin D containing supplements, children who consumed RTE cereal were less likely to have vitamin D inadequacy than non-eaters (aOR = 0.48, 95% CI = [0.34, 0.68]). In adults, RTEC eaters were less likely to have vitamin D deficiency than non-eaters (aOR = 0.52, 95% CI = [0.28, 0.97]). Conclusions Consumption of RTE cereal is associated with better vitamin D status in both children and adults in the United States. Funding Sources The study was funded by the Bell Institute of Health and Nutrition, General Mills, Inc.