Consumption of energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods by the US population: effect on nutrient profiles

To examine the association of consumption of foods from the fats, sweets, and the alcohol group ("other group) with nutrient profiles.

Using data from the NHANES II survey of 1976-80, we categorized the foods reported to be consumed by adults (n = 11,528) into six groups: meat, dairy, grain, fruit, vegetable, and "other."

Nearly one-third of total daily energy intake was contributed by foods from the "other" category. As the proportion of daily energy intake from "other" foods increased, total daily energy intake also increased, as did the percent energy from carbohydrate and alcohol. However, percent energy from fat and protein, intake of all examined micronutrients (except vitamin E), nutrient density, and the proportion of the population meeting the RDA of various nutrients declined with increasing intake of "other" foods. Respondents were more likely to report no servings as well as less than the recommended servings of foods from the major food groups with increasing intake of "other" foods.

The data suggest that consumption of foods from the "other" group displaced nutrient-dense foods from the diets of NHANES II respondents.