Skip to main content
NUTRITION 2026 Main banner

(PTFS13-03-26) Worsening Dietary Intake Among Post-menopausal Women: NHANES 2013–2023

Monday, July 27, 2026
11:08 AM - 11:12 AM ET
Location: Prince George's Hall B-E (The Hub) - Poster Theater 1 / Poster Board Number: PT1-3

    Presenting Author(s)

  • NE

    Noha Elshamy, MS

    PhD Student
    Texas Woman's University
    Houston, Texas, United States

    Disclosure(s): No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

    • Co-Author(s)

  • Derek C. Miketinas, PhD, RD

    Associate Professor
    Texas Woman's University
    Houston, Texas, United States

Disclosure(s):
Noha Elshamy, MS: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.
Derek C. Miketinas, PhD, RD: Grain Food Foundation: Grant/Research Support (Ongoing)
Ingredion, Inc.: Grant/Research Support (Ongoing)
Mead Johnson Nutrition/Reckitt: Grant/Research Support (Ongoing)
National Cattleman's Beef Association: Grant/Research Support (Ongoing)
Objectives: Adequate dietary intake during post menopause is important especially as chronic disease risk increases. US population-level trends in dietary intake among postmenopausal women remain unclear, therefore the purpose of this analysis was to examine trends in dietary intake among postmenopausal women in the US.

Methods: Data from 6,339 postmenopausal women (indicated via self-report) participating in NHANES 2013–2023 were included for analysis. Responses from 1 to 2 non-consecutive 24hr dietary recalls were used to assess dietary intake. Usual macro- and micro-nutrient intake was assessed using the NCI method from foods and beverages alone. All analyses accounted for the proper survey weights and design variables. Trends across survey cycles were evaluated using linear regression and estimates (β) are represented as change per year.

Results: The majority exceeded the AMDR for total fat (60.4%) and saturated fat (73.5%). Total fat intake increased significantly over time (p=0.018), while carbohydrate intake declined (p=0.002), with an increasing proportion consuming below the AMDR. Protein intake (g/d) remained stable but decreased when expressed as % of energy/d (p < 0.001). Micronutrients at greatest risk for underconsumption were vitamin D (97.2%), magnesium (83.3%), vitamin E (83.5%), vitamin A (63.5%), vitamin C (62.7%), calcium (51.8%), and zinc (61.2%). Additionally, most women did not meet adequate intake levels for choline (98.9%) and potassium (94.1%). Significant downward trends (p < 0.05) in intake were observed for folate (β = -7.1 mcg DFE/d), iron (β = -0.16 mg/d), niacin (β = -0.22 mg/d), riboflavin (β = -0.02 mg/d), vitamin B12 (β = -0.06 mcg/d), vitamin B6 (β = -0.03 mg/d), and zinc (β = -0.09 mg/d). This was accompanied by an annual increase in the percentage of individual falling below EAR for folate (β = 1.6%) niacin (β = 0.6%), vitamin B6 (β = 1.8%), and zinc (β = 1.1%).

Conclusions: Among U.S. postmenopausal women nutrient adequacy appears to have worsened, with increasing fat intake, declining carbohydrate and protein contributions, and significant micronutrient inadequacies that have intensified over time. These findings underscore the need for targeted public health strategies focused on improving dietary quality and cardiometabolic risk in this key demographic.

Funding Sources: Texas Woman’s University Institute for Women’s Health