A comparative study of two nutrient data bases

Reported dietary intake records of 18 infants, 22 young children, and 20 women were analyzed using the nutrient data base systems of the Second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES II) and the Nutrient Dietary Data Analysis (NDDA) System. Significant differences between the nutrient data bases were found in the calculations of potassium and niacin for infants and of energy and nine nutrients for women and children. The energy and nutrient composition of many commonly consumed food items in the two nutrient data base systems was different, even though the systems shared common data sources. Differences in the nutrient data bases were primarily due to the timing of data base updates, as well as to the differential use of industry, private, and government food analysis sources, procedural differences in data base updating, and random data entry error. Resolution of differences among nutrient data base systems may depend upon comprehensive reviews of all data base systems or the establishment of a national nutrient data base to serve as a standard for the professional.