Key Nutrient Intakes at Risk Among US Children in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)
John Lasekan1, Qi Yao1, Yong Choe1
1Abbott Nutrition, Columbus, OH 43219, USA.
Background/Objective:
Inadequate nutrient intake in childhood can have lasting detrimental developmental and health outcomes. The objective of this study was to identify key nutrient intake gaps among US children.
Method:
Using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015-2016 data, we compared nutrient intakes against dietary reference intakes (DRIs). Participants were grouped by age (in years): 0-0.5, 0.6-1, 1-4, 5-8, 9-14, and 15-19. Gender differences were assessed in the two older groups.
Results:
Linoleic acid, linolenic acid, vitamin D, and choline were the most consumed at lesser than DRIs in all age groups. Additionally, dietary fiber, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin K, folate, iron, and calcium were consumed at lesser than DRIs in 1-19 year olds. They also had an inadequate intake of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Children with nutrient intake gaps increased from infancy and toddlerhood to school-age period, with the inflection point at 5-8 years of age when parents have limited control on children's nutrient intake. Above 9 years of age, females had greater nutrient intake gaps than males. Females in the 15-19-year-old segment especially had higher nutrient intake gaps (p < 0.05) for vitamin D, thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B12, folate, iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium compared to males. Selected laboratory biomarkers were used to verify the nutrient intake data.
Conclusions:
Key nutrient intake gaps were identified among different age groups of children in the US, which may have implications for future dietary interventions and target food formulations to help narrow these gaps.
