Total diet study: estimated dietary intakes of nutritional elements, 1982-1991

Area of Science:

• Nutritional Science
• Public Health Nutrition
• Dietary Assessment

Background:

• Understanding nutrient intake is crucial for public health.
• Previous assessments of U.S. dietary element intake are essential for tracking nutritional status.
• The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) sets dietary intake standards for essential elements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To estimate dietary intakes of 11 nutritional elements for eight age-sex groups in the U.S. from 1982 to 1991.
• To compare estimated intakes with NAS dietary standards.
• To identify trends and deficiencies in the U.S. food supply over a nine-year period.

Main Methods:

• Laboratory analysis of 234 core U.S. foods.
• Utilized food consumption data from national surveys conducted in the late 1970s.
• Estimated element intakes using mean and median values, comparing results against NAS standards.

Main Results:

• Intakes of sodium, potassium, phosphorus, selenium, and iodine met or neared NAS standards.
• Copper intake was below NAS standards for all groups.
• Magnesium, calcium, zinc, iron, and manganese intakes were below NAS standards for specific age-sex groups.
• Teenage girls and adult women showed the most deficiencies.
• Infant sodium intake decreased from 1982/83 to 1990/91; other element intakes showed no significant trends.

Conclusions:

• Significant dietary element shortfalls exist in the U.S. population, particularly for copper, magnesium, calcium, zinc, iron, and manganese.
• Specific demographics, including teenage girls and adult women, face greater risks of nutrient deficiencies.
• While infant sodium intake declined, overall element intake remained largely stable, highlighting persistent nutritional challenges.