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To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jada.2006.06.011 Byline: Debra K. Goodwin, Linda L. Knol, James M. Eddy, Eugene C. Fitzhugh, Olivia W. Kendrick, Roberta E. Donahue Abstract: The objective of this study was to compare the quality of overall dietary intake of US adolescents by self-rated health status. Using 2 nonconsecutive days of dietary recall data and responses to a single question describing self-rated health status from the Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals 1994-1996, linear regression analysis was used to detect differences in Healthy Eating Index (HEI) scores by self-rated health status for 1,504 adolescents, ages 11 to 18 years. After adjusting for factors related to both overall dietary quality and self-rated health status, overall HEI scores did not differ by self-reported health status. However, two individual HEI component scores were found to be significantly related to adolescent self-rated health status: the vegetables score (P=0.01) was higher among those with positive self-rated health status, and the total fat score (P=0.01) was higher among those with negative self-rated health status. Self-perception of health status is not related to the overall quality of the adolescent diet; therefore, food and nutrition professionals should focus on understanding motivators other than health status when exploring adolescent dietary behaviors.

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jada.2006.05.010 Byline: Linda L. Knol, Betsy Haughton, Eugene C. Fitzhugh Abstract: The purpose of this study was twofold: (a) develop and test the potential usefulness of a new measure of dietary adherence to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Guide and (b) use this measure to assess the diets of children in the United States.

Objective The purpose of this study was to identify dietary patterns of young, low-income US children, describe differences in diet quality between identified patterns, and make targeted food recommendations to improve diet quality. Design Dietary patterns were assessed using dietary variables from the Pyramid Servings Database within the Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals 1994-1996, 1998. Healthy Eating Index (HEI) scores were used to validate identified dietary patterns. Subjects/setting Two subsamples of low-income children, aged 2 to 3 years (n = 1,242) and 4 to 8 years (n = 1,506), were selected from the Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals data. Statistical analysis Cluster analysis was performed to determine unique dietary patterns within the two subsamples. Linear regression analyses were used to compare energy intake, discretionary fat, added sugars, and HEI scores across cluster groups. Descriptive statistics were computed for each cluster. Results Cluster analysis identified six and seven distinct dietary patterns for the younger and older children, respectively. Four patterns were similar for both age groups. For the 2- to 3-year-old children, energy intake, overall HEI scores, and nine of the 10 HEI component scores differed among the four most prevalent dietary patterns. Among the older children, energy intake and six of the HEI component scores differed between the four most prevalent clusters but not overall HEI. Conclusions Neither age group had a cluster of children who followed a balanced/moderate diet pattern consistent with Food Guide Pyramid recommendations. Children consuming almost every pattern identified could benefit by reducing added sugars and discretionary fat and increasing low-fat, low-sugar options from the vegetables, fruits, meat, and milk groups. J Am Diet Assoc. 2005;105:1765-1773.

This study explored the relationship between food sufficiency status and redundancy of food choices, or dietary variety, among children in low-income families using the Variety Score from the Healthy Eating Index. Two samples of children ages 2 to 3 (n = 1,242) and 4 to 8 years (n = 1,506) were selected from the Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals 1994-1996, 1998 and then classified as either food sufficient, food sufficient with limitations, or food insufficient. Mean variety scores were low for all children, but did not differ by food sufficiency status for either age group. However, they did differ by Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children participation and region of the country for the younger and older children, respectively. Results suggest the importance of nutrition education and food assistance programs that enhance dietary variety. Further research should explore how food assistance program participation is related to dietary variety and the degree to which variety within food groups is related to food security. J Am Diet Assoc. 2004;104:640-644.