Income and race/ethnicity influence dietary fiber intake and vegetable consumption

Abstract

Grains, fruits, and vegetables are the primary sources of dietary fiber (DF), with the white potato contributing nearly 7% of the DF to the US food supply. The DF composition of the white potato-with or without the skin and regardless of cooking method-compares well with the DF content of other vegetables. Many health benefits, including improved gastrointestinal health, are attributed to greater DF consumption; however, less than 3% of males and females have an adequate intake of DF. Because of this population-wide shortfall, DF is considered to be a nutrient of concern. In this study, using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009 to 2010, we examined the mean intake of DF across sex, age, race/ethnicity, family income, and poverty threshold. This study shows that mean intake of DF is far below recommendations, with children and adolescents aged 2 to 19 years consuming an average of less than 14 g of DF per day. Adults 20+ years old consume, on average, about 17 g of DF per day, and men consume significantly more DF than women. Non-Hispanic black adults consume significantly less DF compared with other race/ethnic groups. Lower family income and living at less than 131% of poverty were associated with lower DF intakes among adults. Federal and local government policies should encourage consumption of all vegetables, including the white potato, as an important source of DF.

A common variant near BDNF is associated with dietary calcium intake in adolescents

“…We found no differences between overweight and non-overweight groups, though both of them consumed less fiber than recommended (11 g/d vs. the recommended 22-30 g/d) [20]. This is very similar to the data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2009 -2010) in which children and adolescents consumed less than 14 g/d of fiber [26]. A low level of dietary calcium intake increases the risk of obesity in adults and adolescents [27][28][29].…”

Acculturation and Dietary Change in Mexican-American Immigrant Women

“…Energy from total fat is over the recommendations in both studied groups, as well as saturated fat consumption in migrant women. On the other hand, fiber consumption seems to be high in both studied groups when compared to mean consumption in the total adult US population (≈17 g/day) (Storey and Anderson, 2014) [44].…”

The impact of sugar sweetened beverage intake on hunger and satiety in minority adolescents

“…Adolescents consume on average 14 grams of fiber per day, substantially below the recommended 25 to 30 grams per day (Storey & Anderson, 2014). Increasing satiety post meal is a desirable means of controlling and reducing weight.…”