Determinants of diet quality among Canadian adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
Dietary intakes and nutrition behaviours were examined among different diet quality groups of Canadian adolescents.


METHODS
This cross-sectional study included 2850 Alberta and Ontario adolescents aged 14 to 17, who completed a self-administered web-based survey that examined nutrient intakes and meal behaviours (meal frequency and meal consumption away from home).


RESULTS
Mean macronutrient intakes were within Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Ranges; however, micronutrient intakes and median food group intakes were below recommendations based on Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating (CFGHE). Overall diet quality indicated that 43%, 47%, and 10% of students had poor, average, and superior diet quality, respectively. Adolescents with lower diet quality had significantly different intakes of macronutrients and CFGHE-defined "other foods." In terms of diet quality determinants, those with poor diet quality had higher frequencies of suboptimal meal behaviours. Students with poor diet quality consumed breakfast and lunch less frequently than did those with average and superior diet quality.


CONCLUSIONS
Canadian adolescents have low intakes of CFGHE-recommended foods and high intakes of "other foods." Those with poor diet quality had suboptimal macro-nutrient intakes and increased meal skipping and meal consumption away from home. Adherence to CFGHE may promote optimal dietary intakes and improve nutritional behaviours.
Storey
Kate E
KE
Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
Hanning
Rhona M
RM
Lambraki
Irene A
IA
Driezen
Pete
P
Fraser
Shawn N
SN
McCargar
Linda J
LJ
D000293:Adolescent; D017195:Adolescent Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000502:physiology; D000416:Alberta; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000592:standards*; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D009753:Nutritive Value; D009864:Ontario
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D018977:Micronutrients