The share of ultra-processed foods and the overall nutritional quality of diets in the US: evidence from a nationally representative cross-sectional study

Table 2 Indicators of the dietary content of macronutrients and micronutrients according to the dietary share of ultra-processed foods, US population aged 1+ years (NHANES 2009–2010) (N = 9,317)

		Quintiles of dietary share of ultra-processed foods (% of total energy intake) [n]^a
		Q1 [n = 1,941]	Q2 [n = 1,903]	Q3 [n = 1,791]	Q4 [n = 1,785]	Q5 [n = 1,897]
Macronutrient Indicators (mean % of total energy intake)	Protein	17.9	16.7	15.8	14.7	13.1*
	Total carbohydrates	46.5	48.6	49.9	51.3	53.4*
	Added sugars	7.7	11	13.4	15.7	19.2*
	Total fats	31.4	32.2	32.5	32.6	32.5
	Saturated fats	10.1	10.7	10.9	10.9	10.9*
	Alcohol	4.1	2.4	1.8	1.4	0.9*
Micronutrient Indicators (mean density)	Fiber (g/1,000 kcal)	9.6	8.9	8.2	7.4	6.7*
	Sodium (g/1,000 kcal)	1.74	1.69	1.69	1.66	1.63
	Vitamin A (μg/1,000 kcal)	377.5	358.5	347.4	306.2	272.3*
	Vitamin C (mg/1,000 kcal)	58.2	51.4	42.9	40.3	32.4*
	Vitamin D (μg/1,000 kcal)	3.3	3.2	2.9	2.5	2.0*
	Vitamin E (mg/1,000 kcal)	4.1	3.8	3.6	3.5	3.3*
	Iron (mg/1,000 kcal)	7.4	7.7	7.8	7.5	7.4
	Zinc (mg/1,000 kcal)	6.3	6	5.8	5.4	4.9*
	Potassium (g/1,000 kcal)	1.6	1.4	1.3	1.2	1.0*
	Phosphorus (mg/1,000 kcal)	728.9	715.9	691.7	653.9	605.9*
	Magnesium (mg/1,000 kcal)	173.3	156.6	144.3	130.6	117.3*
	Calcium (mg/1,000 kcal)	531.1	539.6	532.2	507	464.7*

^aMean (range) dietary share of ultra-processed foods per quintile: 1st = 32.6 (0 to 42.6); 2nd = 48.6 (42.6 to 54.0); 3rd = 58.4 (54.0 to 62.8); 4th = 67.3 (62.8 to 72.3); 5th = 80.7 (72.3 to 100)
*Significant linear trend across all quintiles (p ≤ 0.001), both in unadjusted and models adjusted for sex, age group (1-5, 6–11, 12–19, 20–39, 40–59, 60+ years), race/ethnicity (Mexican-American, Other Hispanic, Non-Hispanic White, Non-Hispanic Black and Other Race – Including Multi-Racial), ratio of family income to poverty (SNAP 0.00–1.30, >1.30–3.50, and >3.50 and over), and educational attainment (<12, 12 years, and >12 years).

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