Js. Hampl et Nm. Betts, COMPARISONS OF DIETARY-INTAKE AND SOURCES OF FAT IN LOW-FAT AND HIGH-FAT DIETS OF 18-YEAR-OLDS TO 24-YEAR-OLDS, Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 95(8), 1995, pp. 893-897
Objective To determine the sources of fat in the diets of 18-to 24-yea
r-olds and to identify the food group choices of those consuming 30% o
f energy or less from fat. Design This study compared the fat intake,
nutrient intake, and food group choices of young men and women consumi
ng 30% or less or more than 30% of energy from fat. Subjects The 1989-
1991 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals (CSFII) provided
the study sample of 1,062 (436 men and 626 women) 18- to 24-year-olds
residing in the 48 coterminous states who completed one 24-hour food
recall and two 1-day food records. Main outcome measures Dietary fat,
vitamin, mineral, and food group intakes were determined by analysis o
f the 24-hour food recalls and the 1-day food records. Statistical ana
lysis performed t Tests were used to detect differences in nutrient an
d food group intakes between the two groups for both men and women. Re
sults More than 75% of the sample consumed more than 30% of energy fro
m fat. The men and women who consumed low-fat diets did so by choosing
more low-fat dairy products, fruits, and grains. Men who consumed low
-fat diets consumed significantly more alcohol than other men; women w
ho consumed low-fat diets showed a similar trend although the differen
ce was not statistically significant. Although men and women who consu
med a high-fat diet did consume significantly greater amounts of fat a
nd cholesterol, they also fared better in vitamin and mineral intake.
Conclusions A minority of young adults consumed 30% or less of energy
from fat. Compared with those who consumed more than 30% of energy fro
m fat, men consumed significantly greater mean amounts of vitamin C an
d folate, and women consumed significantly greater mean amounts of vit
amin A and folate. Young adults who consumed more than 30% of energy f
rom fat exceeded current recommendations for dietary fat intake; howev
er, the men were less likely to be at risk for calcium deficiency and
the women were less likely to be at risk for vitamin E and zinc defici
encies. Because excess dietary fat and alcohol can lead to chronic dis
ease, dietitians should continue to educate people about the relations
hip between nutrition and health.