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Using national dietary data to measure dietary changes.
Catherine M Champagne1, Margaret L Bogle, William H Karge
1Pennington Biomedical Research Center (PBRC), 6400 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70808-4124, USA. champacm@pbrc.edu
Public Health Nutrition
|March 14, 2003
Summary
Dietary data from US population surveys can be used to compare specific groups with national averages. This method allows for efficient analysis of food intake and dietary changes over time.
Area of Science:
- Nutrition Science
- Public Health Research
- Dietary Assessment
Background:
- The Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals (CSFII) is a key US population survey.
- Utilizing existing dietary datasets for targeted population comparisons is crucial for public health.
- Standardized food composition data is essential for accurate dietary analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate the utility of CSFII dietary data for comparing specific populations to national benchmarks.
- To validate the use of standardized food composition datasets for generating comparable dietary information.
- To assess the feasibility of using consistent dietary assessment methods for tracking changes.
Main Methods:
- Two distinct studies were employed: the Lower Mississippi Delta Nutrition Intervention Research Initiative (Delta NIRI) using 24-hour recalls and a Department of Defense study using 3-day dietary records.
- Both studies utilized identical food composition tables for data analysis.
- Participants included rural residents in the Lower Mississippi Delta and military personnel at an Army post.
Main Results:
- The Delta NIRI study revealed lower fruit and vegetable consumption among rural residents compared to national averages.
- Concerns were raised regarding the nutritional quality of vegetable intake, with french fries and potato chips being significant contributors.
- The military study demonstrated the ease of analyzing intake data and comparing it with dietary recommendations using national survey food composition tables.
Conclusions:
- The employed strategies enable broad comparisons between defined populations and national dietary data.
- Consistent use of dietary assessment protocols facilitates efficient measurement of dietary changes over time.
- This approach aligns with methods used by the US Department of Agriculture to track food consumption patterns across surveys.