An evaluation of food group intakes by Mexican-American children

Food group daily servings were examined for 3,436 children who participated in the Mexican-American portion of the 1982-1983 Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (HHANES). Mean daily servings of 40 foods and food groups were calculated for four age groups: 1 to 2 years, 3 to 5 years, 6 to 11 years, and 12 to 17 years. The HHANES food servings data were combined into four major groups and compared with recommended servings for children. Mean daily servings of the milk group exceeded the recommended two to three servings for younger children but were low for teenagers. Meat group servings (including eggs and nuts/legumes) exceeded the recommended two daily servings for all age groups, whereas bread group intakes averaged 70% to 80% of a recommendation of four servings but only half of a recommendation of six servings. Intakes of fruits and vegetables were lowest, averaging only 33% to 47% of a recommended four servings, or 26% to 38% of a recommended five servings. Servings of all four groups were lowest for teenagers. A dietary score, based on the number of servings from each of the four groups, was developed for each child. Mean dietary scores ranged from 55% (teenagers) to 70% (toddlers and preschoolers) of the recommended score. According to these analyses, dietary guidance for Mexican-American children should focus on increasing intakes of fruits and vegetables and on encouraging more nutritious food choices by teenagers.