03.01.10
National survey data published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association indicate few adolescents or young adults consume whole grains in the amount recommended to prevent chronic disease and maintain a healthful weight. In order to address the gap in consumption, researchers conducted a study to find out which factors influence whole-grain intake among adolescents and young adults. 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. Researchers found that the daily intake of whole grains was lower than recommended among adolescents and young adults. They also discovered what’s holding them back in terms of consumption: availability of whole-grain bread, self-efficacy to consume more than three daily servings of whole grains, and preference for the taste of whole-grain bread. At the same time, researchers found that fast-food intake was associated with lower intake of whole grains among adolescents and young adults of both sexes. These findings, researchers believe, suggest nutrition interventions should address the availability of whole-grain foods in homes and restaurants. Further, they said 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.