Identifying the Leading Sources of Saturated Fat and Added Sugar in U.S. Adults.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Cross-sectional population survey analysis (NHANES)
PubMed 39125354 · doi:10.3390/nu16152474
What was done
Researchers analyzed two 24-hour dietary recalls from 36,378 U.S. adults aged 19 years and older from the 2005–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Data were weighted to be nationally representative and used to identify "What We Eat in America" food categories accounting for at least 90% of saturated fat (SF) and added sugar (AS) intake across the total population and within subgroups.
What was found
Ninety-five discrete food categories accounted for ≥90% of total SF and AS intake for >88% of the representative sample. The leading sources of SF were cheese, pizza, ice cream, and eggs. The leading sources of AS were soft drinks, tea, fruit drinks, and cakes and pies. Specific percentage contributions for individual food categories were not reported in the abstract.
Why it matters
Identifying the primary food sources of saturated fat and added sugar provides concrete dietary targets to help individuals and public health initiatives meet Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommendations (<10% of daily energy from each).
Limits
Dietary intake relied on self-reported 24-hour recalls, which are susceptible to measurement error and social desirability bias. The abstract does not provide exact numeric proportions for individual food categories or link specific intake patterns to health outcomes.
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