National survey data indicate few adolescents or young adults consume whole
grains in the amount recommended to prevent chronic disease and maintain a
healthful weight. Interventions are needed to address this gap; however, little
is known about what modifiable factors influence whole-grain intake among youth.
Objective
This study aimed to identify socioenvironmental, personal, and behavioral
correlates of whole-grain intake among adolescents and young adults.
Design
Data for this cross-sectional analysis were drawn from Project EAT (Eating Among
Teens)-II, the second wave of a population-based study in Minnesota. Mailed
surveys and food frequency questionnaires were completed by male (44.8%) and
female (55.2%) participants in 2003-2004, including 792 adolescents (mean
age=17.2 years) and 1,686 young adults (mean age=20.5 years). Linear regression
models adjusted for demographic characteristics were used to identify factors
associated with energy-adjusted daily intake of whole grains.
Results
Mean daily intake of whole grains was lower than recommended among adolescents
(males: 0.590.04 servings, females: 0.610.04 servings) and young adults
(males: 0.680.03 servings, females: 0.580.03 servings). Home availability of
whole-grain bread, self-efficacy to consume =3 daily servings of whole grains,
and preference for the taste of whole-grain bread were positively associated
with whole-grain intake during adolescence and young adulthood across sex.
Conversely, fast-food intake was associated with lower intake of whole grains
among adolescents and young adults of both sexes. The factors examined in this
study explained 28% to 34% of variance in whole-grain intake across sex and the
two age groups.
Conclusions
The findings suggest nutrition interventions should address the availability of
whole-grain foods in homes and restaurants. In addition, young people should be
provided with opportunities to taste a variety of whole-grain foods to enhance
taste preferences and self-efficacy to consume whole-grain products.