Diet quality in a nationally representative sample of American children by sociodemographic characteristics

Abstract

Background To date, Healthy Eating Index 2015 (HEI-2015) scores have not been published in the peer-reviewed literature for nationally representative samples of American children. Objective The aim of this study was to use the HEI-2015 to describe the diet quality of American children overall and within various sociodemographic populations. Design We used 3 cycles of NHANES dietary data sets (2009–2010, 2011–2012, and 2013–2014) to calculate HEI-2015 total and component scores by use of the population ratio method for children aged 2–18 y (n = 9000). Diet-quality scores were computed overall and by age (2–5, 6–11, and 12–18 y), gender, race or ethnicity (non-Hispanic black, non-Hispanic white, Mexican American, other Hispanic, and other race), and family poverty-to-income ratio (below or at or above the poverty threshold). HEI-2015 mean total and component scores were computed along with 95% CIs. Results The HEI-2015 total mean score for children overall was 54.9 (range: 0–100). As the age group increased, the total scores decreased; the total mean score was significantly higher for children in the youngest age group compared with the 2 older age groups (60.1 compared with 53.9 compared with 52.0, respectively). The total mean score was significantly lower for non-Hispanic black children compared with Mexican American children, other Hispanic children, and children of other races (52.6 compared with 57.0, 56.8, and 57.1, respectively). The total mean score was significantly lower for non-Hispanic white children compared with Mexican-American children (54.2 compared with 57.0). No differences in total mean scores were apparent between boys and girls or between poverty threshold classes. The total mean scores for cross-classified sociodemographic characteristics generally followed the same patterns observed for single characteristics, with notable differences occurring within age and race or ethnicity classes. Conclusions The diet quality of American children remains low overall, with continued disparities across some sociodemographic populations, notably age and race or ethnicity. The results of these analyses can help guide the efforts of child nutrition researchers, practitioners, and other stakeholders.

Adolescent Obesity: Diet Quality, Psychosocial Health, and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors

“…This study assessed adolescent diet quality utilizing HEI-2010, as well as analyzing trends over time [33]. Consistent with other analyses [33,[39][40][41][42], overall diet quality was shown to decrease with age as adolescents persistently had significantly lower overall HEI scores compared to younger youth [33]. Furthermore, results indicated that adolescents 12-18 years had an average overall HEI score of 48.4 out of 100 in the 2011-2012 NAHNES cycle, which was a significant increase from the average overall score of 40.4 observed during the 1999-2000 cycle [33].…”

“…Furthermore, results indicated that adolescents 12-18 years had an average overall HEI score of 48.4 out of 100 in the 2011-2012 NAHNES cycle, which was a significant increase from the average overall score of 40.4 observed during the 1999-2000 cycle [33]. On trend with overall diet quality improving over time [33], the overall HEI-2015 score for adolescents 12-18 years was 52.0 in a more recent analysis [42]. Although overall diet quality scores have significantly improved over time for adolescents, the current scores are still considered low [33,42].…”

“…On trend with overall diet quality improving over time [33], the overall HEI-2015 score for adolescents 12-18 years was 52.0 in a more recent analysis [42]. Although overall diet quality scores have significantly improved over time for adolescents, the current scores are still considered low [33,42].…”

“…While these guidelines may be more understandable to the general public, they do not provide recommendations for the consumption of specific nutrients. Most recent analyses of dietary data collected from NHANES show that, in general, adolescents are able to meet recommendations for protein including having better consumption of seafood and plant sources of protein compared to younger age groups [42]. However, these analyses also suggest that adolescents are not meeting recommendations for fatty acids [42].…”

“…Most recent analyses of dietary data collected from NHANES show that, in general, adolescents are able to meet recommendations for protein including having better consumption of seafood and plant sources of protein compared to younger age groups [42]. However, these analyses also suggest that adolescents are not meeting recommendations for fatty acids [42]. The HEI-2015 scoring for fatty acids is based on a ratio of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acid relative to saturated fatty acid intake [36].…”