Healthy Eating Index scores are associated with blood nutrient concentrations in the third National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey.
OBJECTIVE
The Healthy Eating Index (HEI) is a summary measure of dietary quality, based on a 100-point scale. Our objectives were to assess the HEI as a measure of dietary status through its correlation with nutritional biomarkers and to identify those biomarkers most associated with diet quality and healthful food intake patterns.


METHODS
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III, 1988-94.


METHODS
Adults (> or =17 years) with calculated HEI scores and blood nutrient data (n=16,467).


METHODS
Weighted crude and partial Pearson correlation coefficients (r) between HEI scores and blood nutrients were calculated. Geometric mean blood nutrient concentrations were calculated for five HEI score categories (ranging from < or =50 to >80).


RESULTS
HEI score was positively correlated with serum (r=0.25) and red blood cell (r=0.27) folate, serum vitamins C (r=0.30) and E (r=0.21), and all serum carotenoids except lycopene (r=0.17 to 0.27). These blood nutrient concentrations were 21% to 175% higher for participants in the highest HEI score group (>80) compared with those in the lowest group (< or =50). Mean HEI scores were significantly (P<.0001) greater among the 42% of participants who took dietary supplements. Most correlations were attenuated when adjusted for additional factors.


CONCLUSIONS
HEI score is correlated with a wide range of blood nutrients; the strongest relationships are with biomarkers of fruit and vegetable intake. These results are an important step in the validation of the HEI, emphasizing its potential as a tool for nutrition and health studies.
Weinstein
Stephanie J
SJ
Nutritional Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Insititue, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, USA.
Vogt
Tara M
TM
Gerrior
Shirley A
SA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000097:blood; D004032:Diet / Q000592:standards*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004435:Eating; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood; D005638:Fruit; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D009752:Nutritional Status; D012015:Reference Standards; D014481:United States; D016885:United States Department of Agriculture; D014675:Vegetables; D014810:Vitamin E
D015415:Biomarkers; D014810:Vitamin E; D002338:Carotenoids; D005492:Folic Acid; D001205:Ascorbic Acid