Dietary Intake of Vitamins, Minerals, and Fiber of Persons Ages 2 Months and Over in the United States; Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, Phase 1, 1988-91

Advance Data 258.  This report provides national reference estimates of minerals, vitamins, and dietary fiber for persons 2 months of age and over. Daily dietary estimates are reported by age and gender for the total population and for three race-ethnic groups: non-Hispanic whites, non-Hispanic blacks, and Mexican Americans. Intakes of macronutrients have been released in a previous report, Energy and Macronutrient Intakes of Persons ages 2 Months and Older in the United States: NHANESIII, Phase 1, 1988-91.

Data Highlights:

Mean iron intakes averaged 15.5 milligrams in non-breastfed infants, were lower among children ages 1-2 years, increased again through adolescence and young adulthood, and leveled off until the oldest age group.

Non-Hispanic black non-breastfed infants had slightly higher intakes (18 milligrams) than non-Hispanic white infants (15 milligrams) and Mexican American infants (14 milligrams).

Mean iron intakes in adolescents and adults were consistently higher in males than in females, coinciding with a similar pattern observed in mean total energy intakes.

Among males ages 6 years and over, mean iron intakes were slightly higher in non-Hispanic whites than in non-Hispanic blacks and Mexican Americans. Age specific mean iron intakes in females were generally similar in all three race-ethnic groups.

This page last reviewed January 11, 2007