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PubMed2004

Dietary patterns in women treated for breast cancer who successfully reduce fat intake: the Women's Intervention Nutrition Study (WINS).

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to assess the types of dietary changes made by women who successfully reduced their fat intake in response to low-fat diet instruction and to evaluate the effects of these changes on nutrient intake. DESIGN: Two hundred women enrolled in the low-fat intervention arm of the Women's Intervention Nutrition Study (WINS) were randomly selected. Woman whose baseline fat intake was less than 20% energy from fat were excluded from the study, resulting in a total population of 163. These women were categorized into either the strictly adherent (SA) (those who met their fat gram goal and reported less than 20 % calories from fat, n=50) or the not strictly adherent (NSA) (those who exceeded their fat gram goal and reported 20% or greater calories from fat, n=113) group. The food choices made by SA and NSA subjects were analyzed to identify those that promoted greater adherence. SUBJECTS/SETTING: The participants were free-living women who had been instructed to follow a diet that would meet a specific fat gram goal calculated to provide 15% of calories from fat. STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: Descriptive statistics were used to describe food groups and subgroups. t tests were used to determine statistical significance between and within groups. chi(2) analysis was used to assess differences in demographic variables. RESULTS: There were no marked differences in food patterns of the SA and NSA subjects when compared with the Food Guide Pyramid (FGP) recommendations. Both met FGP serving recommendations at baseline. At 12 months, both showed reductions in the number of servings from fats and oils; SA subjects showed a greater reduction (from 4.18+/-3.6 to 3.0+/-2.4) as well as a reduction in servings from the bread group intake (5.7+/-2.2 to 4.8+/-2.1). Evaluation of food subgroups from within FGP groups showed strategies that promoted fat reduction, such as reducing portion sizes of high-fat foods. The use of these strategies was greater in the SA subjects. The reduction in fat intake had little impact on nutrient adequacy. SA and NSA subjects reduced energy intake from baseline to follow-up, with SA subjects reporting lower intakes. There were few differences in nutrient intakes between the SA and NSA subjects at either time period. CONCLUSIONS: The results from this study suggest specific strategies that promote successful reduction in fat intake without compromising nutrient intake. This information can be used to guide others in making dietary changes.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Indexes of overall diet quality: a review.

This article reviews the published indexes of overall diet quality. Approaches used for measuring overall diet quality include those based on examination of the intake of nutrients, food groups, or a combination of both. A majority of the indexes have been examined in relation to nutrient adequacy only; few have been evaluated for assessment of quality according to current dietary guidelines, namely, a diet relatively low in fat that meets energy and nutrient needs. The indexes of overall diet quality were related to the risk of disease more strongly than individual nutrients or foods.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗

PubMed2003

Micronutrient intakes, micronutrient status and lipid profiles among young people consuming different amounts of breakfast cereals: further analysis of data from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey of Young People aged 4 to 18 years.

OBJECTIVE: To examine associations between breakfast cereal consumption and the dietary habits, nutrient intakes and nutritional status of young people, considering both nutrient adequacy and safety issues (fortification). METHODS: Using archived data from 1688 children in the (British) National Diet and Nutrition Survey of Young People aged 4 to 18 years, nutrient intakes and status were compared across thirds of breakfast cereal consumption (T1 to T3), adjusted for age and energy intake. Cereals provided on average 2%, 6% and 12% of energy in T1, T2 and T3, respectively, for boys; 1%, 4% and 10%, respectively, for girls. RESULTS: Intakes of iron, B vitamins and vitamin D were around 20-60% higher in T3 compared with T1, with significant linear relationships observed for iron, thiamin, riboflavin and folate (T1<T2<T3). After excluding low energy reporters and the unwell, 14% of girls had iron intakes below the Lower Reference Nutrient Intake and this varied fivefold between T1 and T3 (27%, 12% and 5%; P=0.0001). High consumers of breakfast cereals (T3) had better folate, vitamin B12 and riboflavin status and lower total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. There was also an association with thiamin and vitamin B6 status in girls. However, iron status (haemoglobin, ferritin and transferrin saturation) was not significantly different between groups, possibly due to lower meat intakes in T3. Total iron intakes were within tolerable levels (maximum of 32 mg day(-1) in one girl taking supplements). CONCLUSIONS: The nutritional benefits of breakfast cereals are demonstrated in status measurements as well as in nutrient intakes in this study. Concerns about excessive iron intakes from fortification appear unjustified.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Nutrient intakes and food choices of infants and toddlers participating in WIC.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the nutrient intakes, foods consumed, and feeding patterns of infants and toddlers participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). DESIGN: Cross-sectional telephone survey, including 24-hour dietary recalls of infants' and toddlers' food and nutrient intakes, as reported by parents or other primary caregivers. SUBJECTS: National random sample of 3,022 children ages 4 to 24 months who participated in the 2002 Feeding Infants and Toddlers study. Sample sizes by age were infants 4 to 6 months: 265 WIC participants, 597 nonparticipants; infants 7 to 11 months: 351 WIC participants, 808 nonparticipants; and toddlers 12 to 24 months: 205 WIC participants, 791 nonparticipants. STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: We used Statistical Analysis Software (version 8.2) to examine the breastfeeding status, infant feeding patterns, and foods consumed; the personal computer version of the Software for Intake Distribution Estimation to estimate mean usual intake of food energy and of key nutrients targeted by the WIC program; and methods recommended by the Institute of Medicine to assess nutrient adequacy. RESULTS: Infants participating in WIC were less likely than nonparticipants to have ever been breastfed or to be currently breastfeeding, and they were more likely to be consuming formula. Mean usual nutrient intakes exceeded the adequate intake for WIC participants, and the percentage with inadequate nutrient intake was less than 1%. Reported mean energy intakes exceeded mean energy requirements, with the largest discrepancy observed for WIC participants. Sizeable proportions of WIC and non-WIC infants and toddlers did not consume fruits and vegetables on the recall day. APPLICATIONS: WIC providers should focus nutrition education on appropriate infant and toddler feeding patterns, should continue to reinforce their message of the importance delaying the use of cow's milk until 1 year of age, and should stress the importance of fruit and vegetable consumption.

Breast Feeding↗

PubMed1994

Development of a vegetarian food guide.

In the past several years there has been an increase in the number of people who avoid some or all animal products for food. Dietary guides that include animal foods are not designed for vegetarian eating patterns. The purpose of this study was to develop a food guide to be used by nutrition educators in assessing the adequacy of vegetarian diets in an educational or clinical setting and to be used to teach interested individuals how to plan an adequate vegetarian diet. The steps followed in developing the food guide are outlined. Nutrient analysis on constructed food groups are used to estimate types and quantities of food that must be included in the daily diet to achieve nutrient adequacy.

Child↗

PubMed1997

Relation between dietary fat and energy and micronutrient intakes.

Concern has been raised about the energy and nutrient adequacy of low fat diets for children that aim to prevent cardiovascular disease in Western populations. The diets of 174 randomly chosen schoolchildren aged 8-12 years from middle and high socioeconomic groups were analysed to determine their nutrient composition in relation to fat intake. The mean percentages of energy intake from fat and saturated fat were 31 and 13%, respectively, and 44% of all children reported consuming < 30% of their energy from fat. The energy intake did not change across the spectrum of fat intake. A decreased fat intake was associated with an increased sugar intake, but also with increased nutrient densities of thiamin, niacin, folate, vitamin C, magnesium, and iron, reflecting an increased intake of fruit, vegetables, and grains. Parental educational level was the most important determinant of fat intake (inverse relation). It is concluded that a self selected low fat intake among children from average to high socioeconomic backgrounds does not compromise their intake of major nutrients or energy.

Child↗

PubMed2003

Design and quality control issues related to dietary assessment, randomized clinical trials and meta-analysis of field-based studies in developing countries.

The essential design and quality control aspects of dietary assessment, randomized controlled trials (RCT) in developing countries and their subsequent meta-analysis are reviewed. Dietary assessment protocols consist of three stages: measurement of food intakes using a method appropriate for the study objectives, calculation of nutrient intakes and finally an evaluation of their nutrient adequacy. The latter may involve: 1) assessment of dietary diversity (average number of different foods consumed per day) and selected indices of dietary quality such as intakes of animal source foods (g/d); 2) percentage of energy from protein, fat and animal protein; 3) selected nutrient densities; and 4) dietary phytate:zinc molar ratio, as well as the prevalence of inadequate nutrient intakes calculated using a probability approach. To establish causality between the nutrient inadequacies identified and adverse health outcomes, RCT must be undertaken. A prerequisite of RCT is double-blind randomization, a procedure designed to eliminate biases arising from baseline confounding variables, unintended interventions and ascertainment bias. Results from existing RCT can be summarized via meta-analysis to gain a better understanding of the population relationship. Meta-analysis is a statistical technique involving linear models or generalized linear models, which can be performed after locating the individual studies, and selecting and abstracting all the necessary data.

Developing Countries↗

PubMed1996

Intake of sugars in relation to fatness and micronutrient adequacy.

Dietary sugars have frequently been linked with excess body weight and poor quality diets. A review of the recent research in this area reveals no basis for a causative association between sugar intake and obesity. Rather, a diet which contains a high percentage of energy from carbohydrate (starch and sugars) may assist in weight loss if the proportion of energy from fat is low. Nutrient inadequacies tend to occur in susceptible groups (generally women and children) who have a low total energy intake, and this is compounded by a relatively high contribution from sugars. For general populations with an adequate caloric intake nutrient adequacy can be achieved across a wide range of dietary sugar (4-20% energy). In this respect, intakes at either extreme are sub-optimal.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Nutrient intake and food consumption among pregnant women from an agricultural region of Morocco.

This study aimed to assess dietary intake and nutrient adequacy in pregnant women selected from an agricultural region of Morocco. On a sample of 172 pregnant women from rural and urban area, data on socio-demographic characteristics and dietary habits by a quantified food frequency were collected using questionnaires. Mean daily intakes of energy and nutrients were estimated and compared to reference nutrient intakes (RNI). The results show that the mean daily intakes of energy (3110.9 kcal in urban; 2707.5 kcal in rural) and some nutrients were adequate. However, iron, folate, zinc and calcium intakes were inadequate for the majority of women and more markedly in rural area. Education level appeared to affect nutrient intakes while no differences were registered across pregnancy stages or according to household size. The study suggests that an education program should be conducted to improve dietary intakes in order to prevent risks for pregnancy outcome in this population.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Food-based dietary guidelines can be developed and tested using linear programming analysis.

Effective food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs) are required to combat micronutrient deficiencies. This study aimed to develop a rigorous approach for designing population-specific FBDGs. A 4-phase approach based on linear programming analysis was used to design, test, and refine the FBDGs. This was illustrated for Malawian children. In phase I, the objective function minimized the difference in the energy contributed by different food groups between modeled and observed diets for 16 observed diet types, while preferentially selecting foods most often consumed. Constraints ensured nutrient adequacy and diet palatability. In phase II, the meal/snack patterns of the phase I modeled diets were examined to develop season-specific FBDGs. In phase III, the robustness of these FBDGs, for ensuring a nutritionally adequate diet, was tested. The objective function, in this analysis, minimized selected nutrient levels in the modeled diets (i.e., chose the "worst-case scenario"), while respecting the FBDGs, palatability, and energy constraints. The FBDGs were refined in phase IV. In the Malawian example used to illustrate our approach, the FBDGs promoted daily consumption of maize flour, small dry fish (>or=20 g), leaf relish, and 2-3 snacks. The last mentioned included mangoes, in the food-shortage season, and pumpkin in the food-plenty season. In addition, legume relish was recommended in the food-shortage season. The approach presented here can be used to design and then test the robustness of FBDGs for meeting nutrient recommendations.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Marginal vitamin and mineral intake of Costa Rican adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Although a great deal of attention is given to macronutrient and energy intake in the diet, elements essential to dietary metabolic balance include important micronutrients. Very little information exists on vitamin and mineral intake during adolescence, especially in developing countries. METHODS: The micronutrient intake of urban and rural adolescents aged 12-19 years from the Costa Rican capital city, San José, was evaluated. Prospective 3-day diet records including 2 weekdays and 1 weekend day were used for dietary data. We evaluated the micronutrient intake to determine the nutrient adequacy ratio. RESULTS: Approximately 30% of adolescents did not meet the 70% level of the daily recommended intake (DRI) for vitamin Bl2. Additionally, 40% of the Costa Rican youngsters presented a vitamin A, E, and iron intake of between 30 and 69% of the DRI or recommended daily dose (RDA) for these nutrients. Likewise, approximately 15% of adolescents did not meet 30% of the DRI or RDA indicators for these nutrients. The micronutrients most at risk for inadequate intake were zinc, calcium, magnesium, and folate: more than 25% of the adolescents did not meet 50% of DRI or RDA indications for these micronutrients. Contrariwise, vitamin C, vitamin B6, thiamin, riboflavin, and niacin were the nutrients less at risk for inadequate intake. Fast foods prepared in school cafeterias provided approximately 15-30% of the DRI for vitamins B1, B2, B6, Bl2, and niacin, approximately 18% of the RDA for iron, and over 40% of the RDA for vitamin E. CONCLUSIONS: Nutritional interventions and educational strategies are needed to promote the adoption of healthful eating habits among adolescents.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

Diet intervention methods to reduce fat intake: nutrient and food group composition of self-selected low-fat diets.

A multicentered pilot study was conducted to test an intervention protocol designed to reduce fat intake to 15% of energy intake. Eligible subjects were postmenopausal women with stage II breast cancer whose baseline fat intake was more than 30% of energy intake. The low-fat diet intervention protocol consisted of bi-weekly individual counseling sessions with emphasis on substitution of lower-fat foods for high-fat foods and maintenance of nutritional adequacy. Nutrient intakes were calculated from 4-day food records collected at baseline and after 3 months of diet intervention. Mean daily fat intake for the 17 patients on the low-fat diet dropped significantly from 38.4 +/- 4.3% of energy intake at baseline to 22.8 +/- 7.8% at 3 months (p less than .001). A 25% reduction in mean energy intake, from 1,840 +/- 419 kcal at baseline to 1,365 +/- 291 kcal at 3 months, was accompanied by significant increases in protein and carbohydrate as percent of energy intake. A mean weight loss of 2.8 kg and a 7.7% reduction in serum cholesterol were observed; both changes were significant at the p less than .01 level. Absolute intakes of zinc and magnesium were significantly reduced. However, mean intake on the low-fat diet for 14 vitamins and minerals, including zinc and magnesium, exceeded two-thirds of the 1989 Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs). When expressed as nutrient density (i.e., amount of nutrient per 1,000 kcal), increases were observed for all micronutrients. These results support the hypothesis that a nutritionally adequate low-fat diet can be successfully implemented in a highly motivated, free-living population.

Aged↗

PubMed2002

Nutritional status, iron-deficiency-related indices, and immunity of female athletes.

Nutritional status, iron-deficiency-related biochemical indices, and immunologic patterns of female Judo athletes and control subjects were evaluated. The subjects' 3-d food records showed that 41.0 kcal/kg of energy was consumed daily and the contributions of protein, fat, and carbohydrate to total energy intake were 12.5%, 29.2%, and 58.3%, respectively. The reported vitamin intakes of athletic subjects were above those of the recommended daily allowance, however, calcium and iron intakes were less than 100% of the recommended daily allowance. Intakes of energy, protein, phosphate, vitamin B1, and vitamin B2 were higher in the athletes than in the control subjects. Analysis using the Nutrient Adequacy Ratio and the Index of Nutritional Quality showed that athletic subjects had more desirable patterns than the control subjects. There was no any indication of anemia, which often occurs as a result of hemodilution in strenuously trained athletes. The subjects' immunologic patterns showed a slight immunosuppression. Iron, vitamin B1, niacin intakes were positively correlated with immunoglobulin (Ig) G levels in the athletes. The relation between nutrient intakes and the immune systems of endurance-trained athletes needs further investigation.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Experiences of a community-based dietary intervention to enhance micronutrient adequacy of diets low in animal source foods and high in phytate: a case study in rural Malawian children.

A community-based dietary diversification/modification intervention, employing a quasiexperimental design with a nonequivalent control group, was conducted in two intervention and two control villages in rural Southern Malawi. The aim was to enhance the content and bioavailability of micronutrients in maize-based diets of stunted children ages 30-90 mo. Efficacy was evaluated through a comparison of the changes in knowledge and practices, anthropometry, malaria screening, hemoglobin and hair zinc after 12 mo, common infections monthly postintervention and nutrient adequacy postintervention via 24-h recalls. Intervention diets were more diverse and of higher quality than the control diets, supplying significantly more animal source foods, especially soft-boned fish, but less phytic acid (p < 0.01). Median intakes of energy, protein, calcium, available zinc, heme iron and vitamin B-12 were greater (p < 0.05) in intervention compared to the control groups; some spread of knowledge and practices to the control groups occurred. Intervention enhanced Z-scores for mid-upper-arm circumference and arm muscle area (p < 0.001), but had no impact on weight or height gain. After controlling for baseline variables, mean hemoglobin was higher (107 vs. 102 g/L; p < 0.01) postintervention, whereas incidence of anemia and common infections were lower in the intervention groups compared to the control groups, with no change in malaria or hair zinc status. Dietary strategies reduced the prevalence of inadequate intakes of protein, calcium, zinc and vitamin B-12, but not iron, because fish was the major source of animal food consumed. More efforts to raise small animals and promote their consumption are needed to enhance dietary quality and ensure optimal growth, health and cognitive development in young Malawian children.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study: characteristics and usual nutrient intake of Hispanic and non-Hispanic infants and toddlers.

OBJECTIVE: To compare demographic and maternal characteristics and usual nutrient intakes of Hispanic and non-Hispanic infants and toddlers 4 to 24 months of age in the United States. DESIGN: We conducted three interviews by telephone to collect information on sociodemographic and maternal characteristics, feeding practices, and dietary intake in the 2002 Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study. We collected 24-hour dietary recalls, including a second day's intake on a subsample, using the Nutrition Data System for Research. We used the Personal Computer version of the Software for Intake Distribution Estimation to estimate usual nutrient intake and nutrient adequacy and excess for three age subgroups-infants 4-5 months, infants 6-11 months, and toddlers 12-24 months-and Hispanic or non-Hispanic ethnicity. SUBJECTS: A national sample of 3,022 infants and toddlers age 4-24 months, including 371 Hispanic and 2,637 non-Hispanic subjects. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: We compared means, percentile distributions, and percentages by age/Hispanic ethnicity subgroup, and applied the Dietary Reference Intakes to assess nutrient intakes. RESULTS: Mothers of Hispanic infants and toddlers were younger, less likely to be married, and had lower education levels than mothers of non-Hispanic infants and toddlers (P<.01). Hispanic infants and toddlers had significantly higher rates of participation in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children than non-Hispanic infants and toddlers (42% to 23%) and were more likely to reside in urban areas and have lower annual household income levels (P<.01). There were no significant differences in usual energy intake between Hispanic and non-Hispanic infants and toddlers, and mean usual energy intake exceeded the mean estimated energy requirement for all age/ethnicity subgroups. Hispanic toddlers consumed a significantly higher proportion of energy from carbohydrate (56% to 53%, P<.01) and a significantly lower percentage of energy from fat (31% to 33%, P<.01) than non-Hispanics. Comparing usual mean intakes, Hispanic infants age 6 to 11 months had a significantly lower intake of calcium than non-Hispanics (means of 574 mg and 626 mg per day, respectively, P<.05) and a significantly higher intake of sodium compared with non-Hispanics of the same age (means of 647 mg to 476 mg per day, P<.01). For infants, mean usual intakes were adequate for all nutrients. For toddlers, the prevalence of nutrient inadequacy was low (<1%) with the exception of vitamin E, which was inadequate for 39% of Hispanic toddlers and 50% of non-Hispanic toddlers. For nutrients with defined Tolerable Upper Intake Levels, more than one third to almost half of toddlers exceeded the Tolerable Upper Intake Levels for vitamin A and zinc, and more than half (53% and 58% for Hispanics and non-Hispanic toddlers, respectively) exceeded the Tolerable Upper Intake Level for sodium. Usual mean intakes of vitamins A, C, and E and folate, potassium, and fiber were significantly higher among Hispanic toddlers compared with non-Hispanic toddlers. CONCLUSIONS: The Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study data provide information that is useful to practitioners, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children program staff, and parents for delivering nutrition education messages that are consistent with dietary guidance for infants and toddlers as well as compatible with cultural preferences.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Dietary nutrients and anthropometry of Dene/Métis and Yukon children.

OBJECTIVE: To describe nutrient intakes and anthropometry of 10-12-year-old Dene/Métis and Yukon children in the Canadian Arctic. STUDY DESIGN: 24 h-recall interviews (n = 222 interviews) were conducted on Canadian Dene/Métis and Yukon children in five communities during two seasons in 2000-2001; the children were measured for height and weight (n = 216). METHODS: Assessment of nutrient adequacy used Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) including cut-point procedures. Anthropometric measurements (height and weight) were assessed and body mass index (BMI) was compared to the 2000 CDC Growth Charts. RESULTS: Thirty-two percent of the children were above the 85th percentile of BMI-for-age. More than 50 percent of children were below the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) for vitamins A and E, phosphorus and magnesium; mean intakes were below the Adequate Intake (AI) for vitamin D, calcium, dietary fiber, omega-6 fatty acids, and omega-3 fatty acids. Nutrients that were probably adequate for some gender/season groups were protein, carbohydrate, iron, copper, selenium, zinc, manganese, riboflavin and vitamins B6 and C. CONCLUSIONS: Excessive prevalence of overweight and inadequacy of some nutrients were observed among Dene/Métis and Yukon children, suggesting a necessity for dietary improvement. However, many nutrients were adequate, in some cases probably due to continued traditional food use.

Anthropometry↗

PubMed1992

Development of a diet low in vitamin K-1 (phylloquinone).

As part of a metabolic study aimed at inducing a subclinical vitamin K deficiency in healthy adults, we designed a diet containing less than 10 micrograms/day of vitamin K-1 (phylloquinone). Two-day menus were constructed from a vitamin K-1 food database developed in our laboratory. This diet offers palatability and provides nutrient adequacy; that is, it meets the Recommended Dietary Allowances for protein and all other vitamins and minerals. An interesting feature of the diet is that the vitamin K-1 level can be kept very low while still fulfilling a large range of energy needs (1,800 to 3,400 kcal/day). The diet proved useful in altering apparent nutritional status for vitamin K-1; after ingestion of the diet for 6 days, plasma concentrations of vitamin K-1 decreased by 80% and fell below the established normal range. Given the well documented drug-nutrient interaction between vitamin K and warfarin--a vitamin K antagonist routinely used in the management of thromboembolic diseases--the dietary information presented in this report may provide useful information for patients undergoing warfarin therapy.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

A Food Variety Index for Toddlers (VIT): development and application.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a variety index based on the Food Guide Pyramid that is specific to toddlers and is indicative of dietary adequacy. DESIGN: Subjects' mothers were assigned randomly to two in-home interviews with a registered dietitian at four possible collection periods: 24, 28, 32, or 36 months. Three days of dietary information were collected at each period. A Variety Index for Toddlers (VIT) was developed to assess variety within and among food groups based on the number of servings from the food groups in the Food Guide Pyramid. SUBJECTS: White children aged 24 to 36 months (n = 124) and their mothers who were participants in an ongoing longitudinal study. STATISTICAL ANALYSES: Descriptive statistical procedures were performed on VIT scores. Mean adequacy ratio (MAR) scores were calculated for all subjects and compared with VIT scores. RESULTS: Bread group scores were consistently the highest of the individual food groups (mean score = 0.94 to 0.96 on the 0.0 to 1.0 scale); the vegetable and meat groups were generally the lowest (mean score = 0.68 to 0.73 and 0.73 to 0.76, respectively). Mean VIT scores (an average of the five food group scores) over the four collection periods ranged from 0.79 +/- 0.14 to 0.81 +/- 0.15; a score of 1.00 represented intake of at least the minimum number of recommended servings from each food group. VIT scores were strongly correlated to the MAR score of nutrient adequacy (r = +.74, P < .01). APPLICATIONS: The VIT can provide a numeric description of dietary variety specific to toddlers. VIT scores can be compared with other characteristics of children, and this index has the potential to be adapted for use with other age groups and populations.

Adult↗