Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Dairy foods are foundational foods in healthy eating patterns. Consumption of dairy foods helps both children and adults meet the recommendations of a variety of essential nutrients. Accordingly, the objective of this study was to determine the contribution of total dairy, milk, cheese, and yogurt to energy and nutrient intake in children and adults. METHODS: Twenty-four-hour dietary recall data from children age 2–18 (n = 5038) and adults age 19–99 (n = 9813) participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2015–2016 and 2017–2018 were analyzed. Intakes (both absolute amounts and as a percentage of total intake) of energy and nutrients were determined for all food groups using the USDA food category system. Data were generated on an as consumed basis and on a disaggregated basis; the latter approach reallocated energy and nutrients from milk and cheese found in other foods (e.g., pizza) back to the respective dairy food group. Total dairy was defined as milk, cheese, and yogurt in this analysis. RESULTS: On a disaggregated basis, total dairy provided 14.2% and 9.7% of total kcal/d in children and adults, respectively. At current consumption levels, milk, cheese, and yogurt contributed 61.6% of calcium, 65.8% of vitamin D, 22.8% of potassium, 23.7% of protein, 38.5% of vitamin A, 38.3% of vitamin B12, 31.1% of riboflavin, 36.3% of phosphorus, 22.7% of zinc, and 18.1% of magnesium in children, on average. Dairy foods also contributed 19% of total fat, 31.1% of saturated fat, 13.9% of sodium, and 4.7% of added sugar to the diets of children. Similarly, in adults, milk, cheese, and yogurt contributed 49.5% of calcium, 45.9% of vitamin D, 11.6% of potassium, 15.7% of protein, 26.6% of vitamin A, 24.9% of vitamin B12, 18.6% of riboflavin, 25% of phosphorus, 15.5% of zinc, and 9.4% of magnesium to the diet, on average. Total dairy also provided 14.2% of total fat, 24.8% of saturated fat, and 10.1% of sodium in adults. Milk was the top source of calcium and vitamin D in both children and adults. CONCLUSIONS: Milk, cheese, and yogurt remain significant sources of key nutrients for children and adults, including three out of the four underconsumed nutrients of public health concern (vitamin D, calcium, and potassium) as defined by the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. FUNDING SOURCES: National Dairy Council.