Fiber Intake Varies by Poverty-Income Ratio and Race/Ethnicity in the US Adults

Abstract

Fiber has been identified as both a ‘shortfall nutrient’ and a ‘nutrient of public health concern.’ However, little is known about dietary fiber intake relative to poverty-income ratio (PIR) and race/ethnicity in US adults. We examined usual intakes of dietary fiber and compliance with the adequate intake (AI) in US adults (≥19 years) using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011 to 2012 by PIR and race/ethnicity. Among both men and women, significantly higher fiber intake was observed among those in the highest PIR category (men, 22 [SE, 0.8]; women, 18 [SE, 0.6]) compared with those in the lowest category (men, 20 [SE, 0.7]; women, 15 [SE, 0.4]) and the middle category (men, 19 [SE, 0.7]; women, 15 [SE, 0.6]). Although men had higher intake of fiber across all PIR and race/ethnic groups, women had higher prevalence of intake above the AI. Among men, non-Hispanic blacks (17 [SE, 0.8]) had significantly lower intake; whereas among women non-Hispanic blacks (14 [SE, 0.4]) and Hispanic and Mexican Americans (16 [SE. 0.8]) had significantly lower intake compared with the other race/ethnic groups. Asian American women have the highest likelihood of fiber intake that exceeds the AI recommendation. Overall, fiber intake of US adults remains below federal recommendations. Systematic differences in fiber intake occur by PIR and race. Therefore, it is particularly salient to target intervention and education efforts to increase intake of dietary fiber in these groups.

Poor Dietary Guidelines Compliance among Low-Income Women Eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed)

“…US dietary patterns are not aligned with federal recommendations [ 13 ]. Disparities exist for diet quality and intakes of key nutrients and food groups across income gradients [ 7 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]. We focused the current analysis on low-income women because this is a target group for SNAP-Ed.…”

“…However, lower-quality diets are not confined to the lowest income group alone in the United States. Three other recent nationally-representative reports have documented that those in both the lowest and middle-income categories are less likely to meet fruit, vegetable, and whole grain recommendations [ 16 ], and also less likely to have usual intakes of shortfall nutrients and fiber aligned with the Dietary Reference Intakes when compared to the highest income group [ 7 , 15 ]. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fiber play an important role in the prevention of chronic diseases [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ].…”

“…Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are important sources of not only essential vitamins and minerals, but also dietary fiber, contributing about 60% of food sources of fiber in the US diet [ 5 ]. Fiber has been classified as both a shortfall nutrient and a nutrient of public health concern because there is high prevalence of inadequate intakes across the population, and low intakes are associated with adverse health outcomes [ 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]. Fiber intake, while low in many segments of the U.S., is of particular concern for women with low incomes [ 7 ].…”

“…Fiber has been classified as both a shortfall nutrient and a nutrient of public health concern because there is high prevalence of inadequate intakes across the population, and low intakes are associated with adverse health outcomes [ 4 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]. Fiber intake, while low in many segments of the U.S., is of particular concern for women with low incomes [ 7 ]. Increasing intakes of these healthy food groups would improve intakes dietary fiber and many other shortfall nutrients and may also help shifting from high calorie choices [ 4 ].…”

Hidden Hunger: Solutions for America’s Aging Populations

“…An unhealthy gut microbiota has been associated with infectious and degenerative diseases [ 26 ], specifically inflammatory bowel disease, autoimmune arthritis, obesity, and metabolic syndrome [ 27 ]. Fiber has been identified as a “nutrient of public health concern” as its intake in U.S. diets is very low, particularly among the lower income groups including non-Hispanic black men and non-Hispanic black, Hispanic, and Mexican American women [ 28 ]. At least 90% of older American’s (≥71 years old) are not consuming the recommended amounts daily due in part to highly refined diets.…”