What is the fiber intake of the U.S. population?

The mean dietary fiber intake of all individuals 2 years and older, excluding breastfed children, was 16 grams per day. Intakes of males and females were 18 and 15 grams per day, respectively (data not shown). As Figure 1 shows, intake of males 12 years and older was significantly greater than females. Blacks had significantly lower dietary fiber intake (13 gm) compared to Whites (16 gm) and Hispanics (17gm) (data not shown).

Figure 1

Fiber intake of U.S. population, WWEIA, NHANES 2009-2010. *Significantly different from females (p<0.001)

Fiber intake is influenced by energy intake

The higher dietary fiber intake of males may be explained, in part, by their higher energy intakes. When fiber intake is adjusted by energy intake, adult females had a higher dietary fiber intake than their male counterparts, as shown in Figure 2. Within gender, dietary fiber density (gm/1000 kcal) of the diets of those over 60 years was significantly higher than younger age categories combined. These differences may be related to food choice.

Figure 2

Fiber density (gm/1000 kcal) of U.S. population, WWEIA, NHANES 2009-2010. *Significantly different from males (p<0.001) †Within gender, intake of males and females 60+ years significantly higher than other age groups combined, p<0.001 (more...)

How can dietary fiber density be increased?

The dietary fiber density of the diet can be increased by including fruits, vegetables and whole grains that are fiber-rich (3 grams or more fiber per labeled serving (3)). In Table 1, the dietary fiber content of different forms of several representative food items are compared. The table illustrates how dietary fiber intake can be increased by including high fiber items such as chili con carne with beans, or by choosing less processed forms such as brown rice instead of white rice. More information about other specific foods can be found using the What’s In the Foods You Eat Search Tool (http://www.ars.usda.gov/Services/docs.htm?docid=17032).

Table 1

Comparison of the fiber content of different forms of selected foods.

What foods contribute to fiber intake of the population?

Vegetables and Fruits were the highest contributors to dietary fiber intake, as shown in Table 2. Together, they accounted for just over one-quarter (28%) of population intake. White potatoes alone accounted for about one-third of the Vegetable contribution. Of the Fruits, apples and bananas were the highest contributors. Breads, rolls and tortillas provided 12% of dietary fiber intake, of which half was from yeast breads. Cereals contributed 8%, primarily from ready-to-eat cereals (6%). Dietary fiber intake from plant-based protein foods such as beans, legumes and nuts was 8%. Grain-based mixed dishes such as pasta dishes and macaroni and cheese, and pizza were the primary contributors to dietary fiber intake from all mixed dishes. Sweet bakery products, candy and other desserts provided 7%, with over half from bakery items such as cakes, pies, cookies and doughnuts. Savory snacks and crackers contributed 6%, primarily from popcorn and tortilla chips.

Table 2

Contribution of What We Eat In America Food Categories to fiber intake of U.S. population, WWEIA, NHANES, 2009-2010.

Definitions

Adequate Intake

The recommended average daily intake level based on observed or experimentally determined approximations or estimates of nutrient intake by a group (or groups) of apparently healthy people that are assumed to be adequate - used when an Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) cannot be determined. (6)

fiber density

The amount of fiber in a specified amount of a food or diet in order to make comparisons. Comparisons of the fiber density of foods are usually on a per 100 gram basis, and comparisons of the fiber density of the diet are usually on a per 1000 kcal basis.

Data source

Estimates in this report are based on one day of dietary intake data collected in What We Eat in America, the dietary intake interview component of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in 2009-2010. Data on fiber consumption and contribution of foods to dietary fiber intake are based on Day 1 dietary intake data of 9042 individuals age 2 years and older with complete and reliable intakes, excluding breastfed infants. Sample weights were applied in all analyses to produce nationally representative estimates.

References

1.

U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010. 7^th Edition, Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, December, 2010 [PMC free article: PMC3090168] [PubMed: 22332062]

2.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. "Dietary Fiber: Usual Intakes from Food and Water, 2003-2006, Compared to Adequate Intakes" www​.ars.usda.gov/Services/docs​.htm?docid=22659. Accessed October 28, 2013

3.

Food and Drug Administration. Code of Federal Regulations, title 21,volume 2. Subpart D - Specific Requirement for Nutrient Content Claims http://www​.accessdata​.fda/gov/scripts/cdrh​/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=101.54. Accessed September, 2013.

4.

Ahuja JK A, Montville JB, Omolewa-Tomobi G, Heendeniya KY, Martin CL, Steinfeldt LC, Anand J, Adler ME, LaComb RP, and Moshfegh AJ. 2012. USDA Food and Nutrient Database for Dietary Studies, 5.0.

5.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. 2011. USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 24.

6.

National Research Council. Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrate, Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein, and Amino Acids (Macronutrients). Washington, DC: The National Academies Press, 2005.

7.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. 2013. What We Eat in America Food Categories 2009-2010. Available: www​.ars.usda.gov/ba/bhnrc/fsrg . Accessed 10/29/13.

Hoy MK, Goldman JD. Fiber intake of the U.S. population: What We Eat in America, NHANES 2009-2010. Food Surveys Research Group Dietary Data Brief No. 12. September 2014.