(P32-09-26) Assessment of Diet Quality and Nutrient Adequacy Across Three Healthy Adult Personas

Objectives: Nutrient inadequacy is a serious public health risk in the United States. Despite this knowledge, nutrient inadequacy is still common amongst the general public. The objective of this work was to examine three different demographic “personas” that represent common subgroups of healthy Americans and to examine potential differences in their overall diet quality as well as nutrient gaps.

Methods: Baseline dietary intake data were compiled from a series of three studies evaluating the efficacy of daily AG1^® supplementation. Dietary intake was assessed using the validated ASA24^® tool, diet quality was assessed using the Healthy Eating Index-2020 (HEI-2020), and nutrient gaps were identified and defined as the difference between micronutrient intake and the Estimated Average Requirements (EARs). Each study recruited healthy adults with different participant demographics, Study 1 recruited adults with average fruit and vegetable intake (AVG FV), Study 2 recruited a mix of active and sedentary adults (MIX), and Study 3 recruited physically active adults (ACTIVE).

Results: The final sample included 147 healthy adults (100 females; 47 males; 37.7±10.5 years). A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare outcomes across the three study personas. Analyses revealed that there were significant (p=0.003) differences in HEI-2020 scores between AVG FV (mean=49.5±13.3) and ACTIVE (mean=60.7±16.0), and MIX (mean=49.6±13.1) and ACTIVE personas (p=0.043) but not AVG FV and MIX (p >0.05). There was also a significant difference (p=0.014) in the number of nutrient gaps between AVG FV (mean gaps=4.9±3.8) and ACTIVE (mean=2.4±2.7) personas, but not AVG FV and MIX (mean=4.7±3.6) or MIX and ACTIVE personas (p >0.05).

Conclusions: Poor diet quality and nutrient inadequacy was prevalent across all three studied personas, including physically active adults. Notably, higher HEI-2020 scores did not eliminate micronutrient gaps, suggesting that diet quality alone may not ensure nutrient adequacy. These findings underscore the need for targeted nutritional strategies to address persistent micronutrient shortfalls and gaps in diet quality in otherwise healthy US populations.

Funding Sources: AG1; Carson City, NV 89701, USA