Research Showcase Abstracts

There is high intake of energy and overconsumed nutrients of public health concern in adolescents’ diet. Overconsumed nutrients are sodium, saturated fatty acids (SFA), and added sugars.

To identify the most commonly consumed foods by adolescents as percentage of total energy, total gram amount consumed and for intake of sodium, SFA and added sugars.

One 24-h dietary recall from the cross-sectional National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2011-2014) was assessed among 3,156 adolescents 10-19 years of age. Mean percent energy, total gram amount, sodium, SFA, and added sugars consumed from food sources were sample-weighted and ranked based on percent contribution to intake of total amount consumed.

The three-highest ranked food subgroup sources of total energy consumed were: 7.8% from sweetened beverages; 6.9% sweet bakery products, and 6.6% mixed dishes—pizza; while diet beverages and plain water each contributed 0%. Three highest ranked sources of total grams were 34.8% from plain water, 15.8% sweetened beverages, and 7.2% milk; while cooked cereals, crackers and snack/meal bars each contributed 0.5 to 1.2%. The three highest ranked sources of total sodium were 8.7% from mixed dishes— pizza; 6.7% mixed dishes—Mexican; and 6.6% cured meats/poultry; while yogurt, fruits and flavored/enhanced water each contributed 1.2 to 3.4%. The three highest ranked sources of SFA were 9.1% from mixed dishes—pizza; 8.3% sweet bakery products, and 7.9% mixed dishes—Mexican, while diet beverages, plain water, and flavored/enhanced water each contributed 0%. The three highest ranked sources of total added sugars were 42.1% from sweetened beverages, 12.1% sweet bakery products, and 7.6% coffee and tea; while eggs, milk and plain water each contributed 0%.

Identifying food sources of energy and nutrients of public health concern among US adolescents is critical for designing strategies to help them meet nutrient recommendations within energy needs.