Socioeconomic differences in food preference and their influence on healthy food purchasing choices

Background: Studies have shown that socioeconomic groups differ in their dietary behaviours, and it has been suggested that these differences partly account for health inequalities between social groups. To-date, however, we have a limited understanding of why socioeconomic groups differ in their dietary behaviours. This paper addresses this issue by examining the relationship between socioeconomic status, food preference (likes and dislikes) and the purchase of 'healthy' food (i.e. food consistent with dietary guideline recommendations). Methods: This study was based on a dual-sample, dual-method research design. One sample was systematically selected from the Australian Commonwealth electoral roll and the data collected using a mail-survey methodology (81% response rate, n =403). The second consisted of a convenience sample of economically disadvantaged people recruited via welfare agencies (response rate unknown, n =70). A mail survey methodology was deemed inappropriate for this sample, so the data were collected by personally delivering the questionnaire to each respondent. Results: Socioeconomic groups differed significantly in their food purchasing choices and preferences. The food choices of respondents in the welfare sample were the least consistent with dietary guideline recommendations, and they reported liking fewer healthy foods (all results were independent of age and sex). Notably, socioeconomic differences in preference explained approximately 10% of the socioeconomic variability in healthy food purchasing behaviour. Conclusion: Whilst it is not clear why socioeconomic groups differ in their food preferences, possible reasons include: reporting bias, differential exposure to healthy food as a consequence of the variable impact of health promotion campaigns, structural and economic barriers to the procurement of these foods, and subculturally specific beliefs, values, meanings, etc.     

Socioeconomic inequalities in food purchasing: the contribution of respondent-perceived and actual (objectively measured) price and availability of foods

BACKGROUND: Research has shown that lower socioeconomic groups purchase foods that are less consistent with dietary recommendations. The price and availability of foods are thought to be important mediating factors between socioeconomic position and food purchasing. OBJECTIVES: We examined the relative contribution of the perceived and objectively measured price and availability of recommended foods to household income differences in food purchasing. METHODS: Using a face-to-face interview, a random sample of Brisbane residents (n=812) were asked about their food purchasing choices in 2000. They were also asked about their perceptions of the price and availability of 'recommended' foods (i.e. choices lower in fat, saturated fat, sugar, salt or higher in fibre) in the supermarkets where they usually shopped. Audits measuring the actual availability and price of identical foods were conducted in the same supermarkets. RESULTS: Lower socioeconomic groups were less likely to make food purchasing choices consistent with dietary guideline recommendations. Objective availability and price differences were not associated with purchasing choices, nor did they contribute to socioeconomic inequalities in food purchasing choices. Perceived availability and price differences were associated with the purchase of recommended foods. Perceived availability made a small contribution to inequalities in food purchasing, however perceived price differences did not. CONCLUSION: Socioeconomic inequalities in food purchasing are not mediated by differential availability of recommended foods and differences in price between recommended and regular foods in supermarkets, or by perceptions of their relative price. However, differential perceptions of the availability of recommended foods may play a small role in food purchasing inequalities.     

Relevance of food‐based dietary guidelines to food and nutrition security: A South African perspective

Food‐based dietary guidelines are often developed at country level to assist in bringing dietary intakes closer to nutrient intake goals and, ultimately, to prevent nutrition‐related diseases. However, high food prices, alongside growing inflation, increasingly restrict food choices. This can leave those who are already vulnerable and less well off more exposed to the associated health implications of a nutrient deficient diet. With food and nutrition security being a high priority on the global nutrition agenda, this paper explores the feasibility of food‐based dietary guidelines to assist in improving food and nutrition security, focusing on nutritionally vulnerable groups in South Africa. It is argued that increased food prices, together with population growth, urbanisation and inflation, constrain everyday healthy food choices of a large proportion of South Africans. The South African food‐based dietary guidelines released in 2012 advocate the consumption of a daily diet containing a variety of foods. Unfortunately, even when the most basic and low‐cost food items are selected to make up a recommended daily diet, the associated costs are well out of reach of poor individuals residing in South Africa. The average household income of the poor in South Africa equips many households to procure mainly low‐cost staple foods such as maize meal porridge, with limited added variety. Although the ability to procure enough food to maintain satiety of all family members might categorise them as being food secure, the nutritional limitations of such monotonous diets may have severe implications in terms of their health, development and quality of life. Food‐based dietary guidelines alone have little relevance in such circumstances where financial means limit food choice. Alternative interventions are therefore required to equip the poor to follow recommended healthy diets and to improve individual food intake and nutrition security.     

Facteurs associés aux consommations alimentaires des bénéficiaires de l’aide alimentaire : étude abena

The majority of data available on the nutritional situation of low socioeconomic populations in industrialized countries describe a diet that is less favorable for health. The objective of this article is to describe the demographic and economic factors associated with low food intakes as defined by the National Nutrition and Health Program (Programme National Nutrition Santé, PNNS) dietary guidelines in a food aid dependent population.Subjects from the Abena (Food and nutritional status of food aid recipients) study were recruited in four urban zones (Marseille, Dijon, Paris, Seine-Saint-Denis). Questionnaires were principally about food intake frequencies, food supplies and food insecurity.Among the 1,164 included subjects, low consumption frequencies of fruits and vegetables (94.5% consuming <3.5/day), meat, fish and eggs group (42.6% <1/day), and dairy products (81.9% <3/day) were found. Men, young and aged people, and individuals with dependent children seem to be more often at risk for inadequate intakes with regard to the PNNS dietary guidelines. The food insecurity (49.2% declared not having enough to eat “sometimes” or “often”) was associated with an insufficient intake of fruits and vegetables, and meat, fish, and eggs.The described factors associated with lower food intakes observed in this precarious population confirms the notion that fruit and vegetable, and meat, fish and egg consumptions are markers of the socioeconomic status. This has been already observed in studies on more various socioeconomic statuses. The nutritional situation of food aid recipients described here underlines the need for food aid improvement, eventually focused on specific groups which have been identified.     

Adjustments in Food Choices and Physical Activity during Lockdown by Flemish Adults

Background: On Wednesday 18/03/2020 Belgium was placed in lockdown in order to curb the spread of COVID-19. Lockdown can lead to loneliness, boredom, anger, anxiety and depression, which in turn have an influence on food choices and physical activity (PA). This study aims to map the adjustments in food choices and PA by Flemish adults during lockdown. Methods: Chi square tests were performed to investigate the relationship between adjustments in food choices, PA and demographic variables. Results: A total of 1.129 respondents filled in the online questionnaire, aged between 18 and 81 years. The healthiest food choices were made by respondents living alone during lockdown, whilst people cohabiting with others increased their PA significantly. Moreover, the dietary adjustments of adults living with children evolved more favourably to healthier choices then those cohousing with other adults. However, respondents living with other adults showed a more favourable pattern regarding adjustments in PA. The strongest increase in sedentary behaviour was observed in students. Conclusions: This study shows the impact of lockdown on both PA and food choices, where healthier adjustments were observed in PA and respondents were prone to consume unhealthier food.     

Financial costs of healthful eating: A comparison of three different approaches

In the last decade, governments of most developed countries have established dietary guidelines for their populations in an effort to lower the incidence and prevalence of chronic diseases such as coronary heart disease, hypertension, certain cancers, and diabetes. However, although little quantitative analytical work has been undertaken, concern has been expressed about the potential increases in the financial costs of following a diet that complies with these dietary guidelines. To determine whether it is necessarily more expensive to follow a healthful diet, three pricing analyses were undertaken. An analysis of the potential cost of direct substitution of healthful alternatives for less healthful food choices (e.g., product-by-product substitution through the use of fat, fiber, or salt-modified alternatives, etc.) indicated that this approach would result in a more costly diet, while providing limited nutritional improvement at the population level. Pricing of self-selected diets of people whose diets currently comply with the dietary guidelines and targets for healthful eating showed that these people are currently paying more per megajoule for their diet. However, costing of diets that conformed to a new healthful eating plan, designed to produce eating patterns that meet both the dietary goals set for components of the food supply such as dietary fat, refined sugars or fiber, and the recommended daily intakes for energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals showed that healthful eating need not be more expensive and indeed, for most people, would bring cost savings. This study highlighted the need to consider the cost implications of recommendations made in nutrition education material and dietary guidelines, and to promote readjustment in the balance of foods in the diet rather than direct substitution of one particular food, or group of foods, by a “healthier” alternative.     

Associations of social status and health-related beliefs with dietary fat and fiber densities

BACKGROUND. Lower social status groups have higher mortality rates from some diet-related diseases and higher dietary fat and lower dietary fiber intakes. Such dietary patterns have been found to be related to social status, environmental influences, and health-related beliefs and expectations. METHODS. Associations of social status and diet-related and health-related beliefs and expectations with dietary fat and fiber densities were examined in a population sample of 874 respondents to a postal questionnaire. A food frequency listing of 172 foods was used to assess usual dietary intake. RESULTS. More positive beliefs and expectations were associated with lower dietary fat and higher dietary fiber densities in univariate models; beliefs and expectations differed little between social status groups. In multivariate models, stronger perceptions of external influences on food choices, fewer perceived barriers to eating a healthy diet, and social status were independently associated with low dietary fat density. Diet-related and health-related beliefs and perceptions of external influences on food choices, but not social status, were independently associated with high dietary fiber density. The belief that diet is a major cause of stroke, diabetes, and hypertension was weakly associated with the dietary fiber density of lower social status groups. CONCLUSIONS. Social status and perceptions of external influences on dietary choice, as well as personal beliefs, have independent associations with food intake. Although exclusive targeting of lower social status groups is not indicated, interventions to increase dietary fiber intake should address expectations, attitudes, and beliefs about dietary fiber and health and perceptions of external influences on food choices, especially among lower status groups; interventions to lower dietary fat intake should address a broad range of external and social factors, as well as personal beliefs.     

中国9省(自治区)1991－2011年18～44岁人群蔬菜水果摄入状况及变化趋势

目的 研究1991－2011年中国9省(自治区)18～44岁人群蔬菜、水果的摄入状况及变化趋势。方法 以“中国健康与营养调查”(CHNS)1991－2011年调查数据为基础,选择连续3天24 小时有完整膳食数据的18～44岁健康人群作为研究对象,计算该人群平均每天蔬菜、水果的摄入率及摄入量,并与《中国居民膳食指南》蔬菜、水果推荐摄入量进行比较。结果 1991－2011年中国9省(自治区)18～44岁人群蔬菜摄入率变化不大、摄入量下降明显;水果摄入率及摄入量不断提高,2011年调查人群蔬菜、水果摄入率及摄入量分别为99.7%、48.0%、321.6 g/d、90.1 g/d。蔬菜摄入量达到《中国居民膳食指南》推荐摄入量的人群比例显著下降,至2011年为50.2%;水果摄入量达到《中国居民膳食指南》推荐摄入量的人群比例显著上升,至2011年为17.4%。结论 中国9省(自治区)18～44岁人群蔬菜、水果平均摄入量仍低于《中国居民膳食指南》的推荐摄入量,应采取措施进一步促进该人群蔬菜和水果的摄入。     

Evaluation of Nutri-Score in Relation to Dietary Guidelines and Food Reformulation in The Netherlands

An unhealthy dietary pattern is an important risk factor for non-communicable diseases. Front-of-Pack nutritional labels such as Nutri-Score can be used to improve food choices. In addition, products can be improved through reformulation. The current study investigates to what extent Nutri-Score aligns with the Dutch Health Council dietary guidelines and whether it can be used as an incentive for reformulation. Nutri-Score calculations were based on the Dutch Branded Food database (2018). The potential shift in Nutri-Score was calculated with product improvement scenarios. The Nutri-Score classification is in line with these dietary guidelines: increase the consumption of fruit and vegetables, pulses, and unsalted nuts. It is, however, less in line with the recommendations to limit (dairy) drinks with added sugar, reduce the consumption of red meat and replace refined cereal products with whole-grain products. The scenario analyses indicated that a reduction in sodium, saturated fat or sugars resulted in a more favourable Nutri-Score in a large variety of food groups. However, the percentage of products with an improved Nutri-Score varied greatly between the different food groups. Alterations to the algorithm may strengthen Nutri-Score in order to help consumers with their food choices.     

Knowledge of current dietary guidelines and food choice by college students: better eaters have higher knowledge of dietary guidance

College students enrolled in university dining plans are exposed daily to a food environment characterized by foods high in energy, fats, and added sugars, and low in nutrient density. Their decisions about what to eat are currently made in an environment where no nutrition labeling is required. To fill the gap in current literature regarding whether or not increased nutrition knowledge of dietary guidance actually translates into positive behavior, this cross-sectional study investigated self-reported eating patterns of 200 college students. An Internet-based survey was used to identify how closely respondents followed the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005, and whether their eating patterns were related to their knowledge of dietary guidance. It was observed that, for fruit, dairy, protein, and whole grains, increased knowledge is related to increased likelihood of meeting dietary guidelines. Moreover, when asked about individual food choices, nutrition knowledge was related to making more healthful choices in every case. Ultimately, increased knowledge of dietary guidance appears to be positively related to more healthful eating patterns. This suggests that guidelines such as the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005, in conjunction with effective public-awareness campaigns, may be a useful mechanism for promoting change in what foods consumers choose to eat.     

Perceived relevance and information needs regarding food topics and preferred information sources among Dutch adults: results of a quantitative consumer study

OBJECTIVE: For more effective nutrition communication, it is crucial to identify sources from which consumers seek information. Our purpose was to assess perceived relevance and information needs regarding food topics, and preferred information sources by means of quantitative consumer research. DESIGN: Based on qualitative studies, a quantitative questionnaire was developed and administered in face-to-face interviews. SUBJECTS: The study population consisted of Dutch adults aged 18-80 y. A stratified sample of 923 adults was taken from the GfK ScriptPanel; 603 respondents completed the questionnaire. RESULTS: Despite high perceived relevance of food topics regarding dietary guidelines (55-78%), most respondents indicated that they did not want more information about these topics (71-74%). Furthermore, our study revealed information needs regarding safety- and health-related food topics (up to 77% in some subgroups). Differences in perceived relevance and information needs were found in subgroups based on gender, age, perceived weight and socioeconomic status. Education offices of the food sector and the family doctor were mentioned for most food topics, who ranked among the highest regarding perceived reliability, perceived expertise, clearness and accessibility. CONCLUSIONS: With respect to five food topics (losing weight, sports and nutrition, lowering cholesterol, carbohydrates and food composition), interested subgroups should receive tailored information. For other groups and food topics, a population-wide strategy should suffice, utilising the preferred information source. If people who are not yet interested become interested through a life event, information on demand can be put into action. SPONSORSHIP: Dutch Dairy Association.     

Mixed Method Approaches to Understanding Cancer-Related Dietary Risk Reduction among Public Housing Residents

Improving diet is one important pathway for addressing cancer disparities. We conducted mixed-method analyses of 468 24-h dietary recalls from 156 African–American women residents of Washington DC public housing to better understand dietary patterns. Recalls were rated for five cancer-related preventive characteristics (adequate fruits/vegetables, moderate fat, moderate calories, no alcohol, and adequate Healthy Eating Index score), combined as a scale. Bivariate and multivariate analyses identified psychosocial and dietary characteristics associated with scale scores. Qualitative analyses of dietary records identified contextual aspects of food patterns within and across score groups. Sixty-one percent of respondents met zero or one dietary goal; alcohol abstention was most common (64%). Only 12% achieve either three (6%), four (4%), or all five (<1%) goals; five fruit and vegetable servings were least common (15%). The underlying scalar structure of responses suggests that fruit and vegetable consumption is seldom achieved in this population without other scale components. Poorer scores were associated with younger age, depressive symptoms, stressful life events, smoking, and food-purchasing practices. Qualitative analyses identified eight themes related to differences between dietary patterns. Findings reinforce the value of nonreductionist approaches to cancer-related nutrition intervention.     

Documenting the reasons people have for choosing their food

Understanding the reasons that people have for choosing their food, and why these choices vary, may affect the dietary advice and assumptions about the nutrient adequacy of future food intake. One group of respondents living in Jakarta, Indonesia completed two interviews with the same combined food frequency and qualitative technique, called Food Choice Map (FCM) over a one-month period. Another group of Indonesian respondents from a town in Java completed an FCM interview and a 24-hour recall interview. The Food Choice Map identified the same major foods as contributing to individual intakes as are identified by a 24-hr recall interview. The FCM also identified reasons for changes in food choice. The reasons for food choices varied less than the different food items chosen. The FCM links data on dietary behaviours with perceptions that respondents use to explain of those behaviours. Such data can be used to develop communication strategies for health promotion.     

Food-based dietary guidelines for Finland--a staged approach

The history of recommending certain food composition to the diet of the general public in Finland goes back to the 1950s. Since that time, the food circle with modifications has been the only official, and most widely used, tool for diet composition visualization for nutrition education. Official national dietary recommendations and guidelines have been launched in 1981, 1987 and the newest ones in 1998. Nordic Nutrition Recommendations have been used in Finland as a reference when national dietary guidelines have not been available or up to date. Specific quantitative food-based dietary guidelines have not been given, because dietary guidelines may be reached with a wide range of foods. Data from the 1992 Dietary Survey of Finnish Adults was used to identify differences in dietary intake and food consumption patterns between subgroups of the study population that represented the highest and lowest quartiles of fat, saturated fatty acid (SFA), fibre, and fruit and vegetable intake. The population groups having the lowest fat or SFA intakes or the highest fibre or fruit and vegetable intakes reached the nutrient recommendations of macronutrients and fibre reasonably well. Similarities in food consumption pattern associated with a nutrient profile close to the recommendations were high consumption of fruit, berries, vegetables, roots, legumes and rye. Differences, e.g. in fats used, were also found between diets that were close to the nutrient recommendations. More research is needed to determine the differences in food consumption patterns of different population groups before developing food-based dietary guidelines for these groups.     

The food–service industry, dietary guidelines and change

Abstract: The influence of the food–service industry on compliance with the Australian dietary guidelines was investigated through three separate methods of data collection and analysis: a telephone survey of 1683 randomly selected Brisbane residents; telephone interviews with 69 food–service–industry operators and 10 face–to–face interviews with key stakeholders in industry and government. Nearly 40 per cent of respondents had consumed foods prepared by the food–service industry at least once on the day before the interview, mainly from restaurants, cafes and takeaway shops, in the form of fast–food or snacks. Consumption of these foods declined with age. Those consuming foods prepared by the food–service industry ate significantly less fruit, vegetables and dairy food and were therefore less likely to comply with the dietary guidelines. Outcomes from interviews with operators in the food–service industry show that food choices offered to consumers were the result of a dynamic interaction between consumer demand and operators' own tastes and perceptions of food quality. Key informant interviews show that public health nutrition programs will have limited effect without supportive environmental changes in the food–service industry supply. An effective means of increasing the likelihood of compliance with the Australian dietary guidelines will be to encourage food suppliers in ways that address their core business concerns simultaneously with the goals of health professionals. ( Aust N Z J Public Health 1997; 21: 539–44)     

Disparities in Nutritional Adequacy of Diets between Different Socioeconomic Groups of Finnish Adults

Information on dietary adequacy is needed to assess food and nutrition security in a modern society, especially in the transition towards climate-friendly food systems. In this study, differences in the nutritional adequacy of diets among Finnish adults were evaluated in population groups of different education, income and urbanisation levels. The study used data from the FinDiet 2017 Survey (n = 1655, 18–74 years). Modelled usual intakes of foods and nutrients were evaluated relative to food-based dietary guidelines issued by the National Nutrition Council of Finland (FNNC) and with respect to nutrient adequacy following the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations and FNNC. For about half of the nutrients studied, intakes were found to be adequate. Intakes of protein, fat, saturated fatty acids and salt were estimated to be high. By contrast, inadequate intakes were seen in folate and vitamins A, D, B1, B2 and C in almost all groups studied. Groups with a higher education and income, groups that lived in urban areas and, in particular, women adhered more closely to recommended food consumption and nutrient intakes than others. However, major challenges posed by the Finnish diet are common to all groups studied, and only certain dietary features evaluated in view of nutritional adequacy are associated with socioeconomic differences.     

U.S. Food Guide Pyramid food group intake by Asian Indian immigrants in the U.S

This study examined the food group intake and the dietary quality of middle-aged and older Gujarati Asian Indian immigrants (45 years or older) living in two urban metropolitan areas in the U.S. Participants (90 men, 99 females) completed a 24-hour dietary recall, which was used to determine if they met the daily food group intake guidelines of the U.S. Food Guide Pyramid. The overall quality of their reported dietary intake was determined using the Healthy Eating Index based on their nutrient and food group intake. Both men and women met the daily number of servings recommendations for the grains (men: 9.3 servings/day; women: 6.9 servings/day) and vegetables (men: 4.5 servings/day; women: 3.6 servings/day) groups, but did not meet the recommendations for fruits, dairy and meats groups. The total score on the Healthy Eating Index of the diets of these participants was 73, indicative of a dietary intake that does not meet the established U.S. dietary guidelines. These immigrants should be educated about appropriate food choices (ethnic and non-ethnic) within each of the U.S. Food Guide Pyramid food groups to improve the overall quality of their dietary intakes.     

Dietary guidelines in the Czech Republic. II.: Nutritional profiles of food groups

Modern dietary guidelines set in terms of food groups are easy to use and understand for target populations, but rather complicated from the point of view of quantification, i.e. the correctly set number of recommended servings in different population groups according to age, sex, physical activity and physiological status on the basis of required intake of energy and individual nutrients. It is the use of abstract comprehensive food groups that makes it impossible to use a simple database of food tables based on the content of nutrients in individual foods, rather than their groups. Using groups requires that their nutritional profiles be established, i.e. that an average content of nutrients and energy for individual groups be calculated. To calculate nutritional profiles for Czech dietary guidelines, the authors used three different methods: (1) Simple profiles, with all commodities with significant representation in the Czech food basket represented in equal amounts. (2) Profiles based on typical servings, with the same commodities as in (1) but in characteristic intake quantities (typical servings). (3) Food basket-based profiles with commodities constituting the Czech food basket in quantities identical for that basket. The results showed significant differences in profiles calculated by different methods. Calculated nutrient intakes were particularly influenced by the size of typical servings and it is therefore essential that a realistic size of servings be used in calculations. The consistent use of recommended food items throughout all food groups and subgroups is very important. The number of servings of foods from the five food groups is not enough if a suitable food item is not chosen within individual groups. On the basis of their findings, the authors fully recommend the use of nutritional profiles based on typical servings that give a realistic idea of the probable energy and nutrient content in the recommended daily intake. In view of regional cultural differences, national nutritional profiles play a vital importance. Population studies investigating the size of the typical servings and the most frequently occurring commodities in the food basket should be made every three years. Nutritional profiles designed in this way constitute an important starting point for setting national dietary guidelines, their implementation and revisions.     

Nutritional Imbalance Endorsed by Televised Food Advertisements

The ubiquity of television in American culture makes it a potential contributor to the obesogenic (obesity-causing) environment. Televised food advertisements, which encourage viewers to eat the foods promoted for sale, constitute a de facto set of dietary endorsements. The purpose of this study was to compare the nutritional content of food choices endorsed on television to nutritional guidelines. Using a cross-sectional design, food advertisements were observed during 84 hours of primetime and 12 hours of Saturday-morning televised broadcast during the fall of 2004. One-sample t tests were used to compare the food group servings of observed food items to the recommended daily servings and to compare the nutrient content of observed food items to the Daily Values. Results suggest that a diet consisting of observed food items would provide 2,560% of the recommended daily servings for sugars, 2,080% of the recommended daily servings for fat, 40% of the recommended daily servings for vegetables, 32% of the recommended daily servings for dairy, and 27% of the recommended daily servings for fruits. The same diet would substantially oversupply protein, total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium, while substantially undersupplying carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins A, E, and D, pantothenic acid, iron, phosphorous, calcium, magnesium, copper, and potassium. Overall, the food choices endorsed on television fail to meet nutrition guidelines and encourage nutritional imbalance.     

Spanish children's diet: compliance with nutrient and food intake guidelines

OBJECTIVE: To compare the diet of Spanish children against the nutrient and food intake guidelines. To calculate an index of overall diet quality and check its validity against nutrient intake. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study in four cities in Spain, where information on food and nutrient intake was obtained from schoolchildren through a food frequency questionnaire. PARTICIPANTS: The sample included 1112 children (overall response rate of 85%) attending public and private schools and aged 6-7 y. Children were selected through random cluster sampling in schools, and stratified by sex and socioeconomic level. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mean nutrient intake, number of food servings, and the percentage of children who meet recommended nutrient and food-serving intake levels. The overall dietary quality was assessed using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI). RESULTS: Mean micronutrient intake exceeded 100% of the recommended dietary allowances, except for vitamin B6, which registered a mean intake of 77.1%. For almost all children, intake of saturated fat was above, and that of carbohydrate below, the recommended level, in contrast to the relatively high compliance with the recommendations for poly- and monounsaturated fatty acid, salt and fiber intake (69.7, 43.7, 40.7, and 30.1%, respectively). Consumption of food servings for each of the five American pyramid food groups came close to or exceeded USDA guidelines, with the exception of cereals, with 5.4 servings per day. The mean score obtained in the HEI was 64.6. Children who complied with all the food guide pyramid recommendations registered a higher dietary variety and a healthier nutritional profile. CONCLUSIONS: Children aged 6-7 y show scant compliance with the macronutrient goals for healthy eating. Micronutrient intake is adequate in general, yet there are small groups of children with risk of deficient intake of vitamins B6 and D. While Spanish children's eating habits are reasonably in line with American food guide pyramid guidelines, consumptions of cereals and fruit should be improved.