Vegetable Consumption and Selected Nutrient Intakes of Women of Childbearing Age.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Cross-sectional survey analysis of nationally representative data (by design analogy)
PubMed 27590204 · doi:10.1016/j.jneb.2016.07.014
What was done
Researchers analyzed dietary data from 3,058 women of childbearing age (WCBA; 19–50 years) using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2009–2012 and the Food Pattern Equivalents Database. Daily vegetable consumption and dietary intakes of potassium, dietary fiber, calcium, magnesium, iron, vitamin C, and folates were evaluated across race/ethnicity (non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black, Mexican American, and other) and annual household income tiers (<$25,000, $25,000–$75,000, and >$75,000).
What was found
WCBA consumed an average of 1.43 cup equivalents/day of total vegetables. Non-Hispanic Black WCBA consumed fewer vegetables than non-Hispanic white, Mexican American, and other racial/ethnic groups (P < .01). Mean intake of starchy vegetables was below the recommended 5–6 cups/week. Average potassium intake was 2,364 mg/day (versus the recommended 4,700 mg/day), and mean dietary fiber intake was 15.4 g/day (versus the recommended 25 g/day). Women in households earning <$25,000 consumed fewer vegetables and had lower intakes of potassium, dietary fiber, calcium, and iron than those earning >$75,000 (P < .05).
Why it matters
These findings identify major shortfalls in vegetable, potassium, and fiber consumption among women of childbearing age, highlighting demographic and income-related nutritional disparities that can inform food assistance programs.
Limits
The study is cross-sectional and relies on self-reported dietary recalls from NHANES, which are susceptible to recall bias and underreporting. The abstract reports food-derived nutrients only, without accounting for dietary supplements, and long-term health outcomes were not assessed.
Cited by
- context The average American woman consumes only about 12 grams of dietary fiber per day.