Sex Differences In Nutrient Gaps In Active Adults

In the United States, the estimated average requirement (EAR) for a nutrient indicates the average daily intake level estimated to meet the requirement of 50% of healthy individuals. As defined by the United States Department of Agriculture, a “nutrient gap” is evaluated by comparing dietary intakes with EAR values of specific nutrients. Nutrient intake <100% of the EAR indicates a nutrient gap. While nutrient gaps have been characterized in the general population, these gaps are less clearly established in active adults. PURPOSE: To evaluate the presence of nutrient gaps within an active, healthy population and to determine if there are sex differences in nutrient gaps. METHODS: The dietary intakes of healthy, active males (n = 380 records) and females (n = 301 records) were collected using the National Institutes of Health’s Automated Self-Administered Dietary Assessment Tool (ASA24®). The percentage of individual nutrient gap scores <100% (i.e., intakes below the EAR) was calculated for 17 micronutrients. A Wilcoxon rank-sum test (i.e., Mann-Whitney U test) was performed to determine if differences in nutrient gaps were present between sexes. RESULTS: For 16 of 17 micronutrients, there were statistically significant differences between sexes, indicating lower intakes relative to the EAR in females compared to males (p < 0.001 for each nutrient). In females and males, respectively, the percentage of individual dietary records indicating intakes below the EAR was 59.8% and 27.6% for calcium, 38.9% and 0.8% for iron, 95.3% and 80.0% for vitamin D, 61.5% and 23.9% for folate, 84.7% and 60.5% for vitamin E, 58.1% and 42.6% for vitamin A, and 61.5% and 43.9% for magnesium. CONCLUSION: These data provide evidence of frequent underconsumption of micronutrients in healthy active adults, with lower intakes in females than males. Due to the importance of some of these nutrients for women’s health - such as iron, calcium, and vitamin D for supporting menstrual function and bone health - the prevalence of low intakes is noteworthy. The present findings confirm the concern of inadequate micronutrient intake in active adults and provide support for the implementation of strategies to better educate active populations regarding appropriate consumption of micronutrients. Supported by: An unrestricted gift from AG1 supported this project