Impact of typical rather than nutrient-dense food choices in the US Department of Agriculture Food Patterns.
BACKGROUND
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Patterns, released as part of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, are designed to meet nutrient needs without exceeding energy requirements. They identify amounts to consume from each food group and recommend that nutrient-dense forms-lean or low-fat, without added sugars or salt-be consumed. Americans fall short of most food group intake targets and do not consume foods in nutrient-dense forms. Intake of calories from solid fats and added sugars exceed maximum limits by large margins.


OBJECTIVE
Our aim was to determine the potential effect on meeting USDA Food Pattern nutrient adequacy and moderation goals if Americans consumed the recommended quantities from each food group, but did not implement the advice to select nutrient-dense forms of food and instead made more typical food choices.


METHODS
Food-pattern modeling analysis using the USDA Food Patterns, which are structured to allow modifications in one or more aspects of the patterns, was used. Nutrient profiles for each food group were modified by replacing each nutrient-dense representative food with a similar but typical choice. Typical nutrient profiles were used to determine the energy and nutrient content of the food patterns.


RESULTS
Moderation goals are not met when amounts of food in the USDA Food Patterns are followed and typical rather than nutrient-dense food choices are made. Energy, total fat, saturated fat, and sodium exceed limits in all patterns, often by substantial margins. With typical choices, calories were 15% to 30% (ie, 350 to 450 kcal) above the target calorie level for each pattern. Adequacy goals were not substantially affected by the use of typical food choices.


CONCLUSIONS
If consumers consume the recommended quantities from each food group and subgroup, but fail to choose foods in low-fat, no-added-sugars, and low-sodium forms, they will not meet the USDA Food Patterns moderation goals or the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
US Department of Agriculture, Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, Alexandria, VA 22302, USA. patricia.britten@cnpp.usda.gov
Patricia
P
Britten
Linda E
LE
Cleveland
Kristin L
KL
Koegel
Kevin J
KJ
Kuczynski
Sharon M
SM
Nickols-Richardson
D002755:Choice Behavior; D004032:Diet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019422:Dietary Sucrose / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002149:Energy Intake; D005502:Food / Q000145:classification*; D005504:Food Analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005518:Food Preferences; D006801:Humans; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D009753:Nutritive Value; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D012982:Sodium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014481:United States; D016885:United States Department of Agriculture
D004041:Dietary Fats; D019422:Dietary Sucrose; D012982:Sodium, Dietary