# Food consumption and adherence to dietary guidelines among Jordanian children and adolescents

## TL;DR

Jordanian children and teens consume too many added sugars and not enough fruits, vegetables, and dairy, leading to high rates of overweight and obesity.

## Contribution

This study provides the first assessment of Jordanian children's dietary habits and adherence to MyPlate guidelines using recent national survey data.

## Key findings

- 44% of Jordanian children and adolescents were overweight or obese.
- Added sugar intake was 57g/day, exceeding dietary recommendations.
- Intake of fruits, vegetables, and dairy was below MyPlate guidelines.

## Abstract

Background: To evaluate the energy and macronutrient intake of Jordanian children and adolescents, and how closely they adhere to dietary recommendations.

Methods: This cross-sectional study used data from Jordan’s Population-based Food Consumption Survey, a household population-based study that was conducted in Jordan between 2021-2022 (561 children and adolescents 8-19 years). Dietary intake was assessed using the two non-consecutive 24-hour dietary recall method (24-h DR). The estimated food group and nutrient intakes were compared to nutritional recommendations, including MyPlate dietary guidelines.

Results: The prevalence of overweight/obese individuals based on body mass index (BMI) was 44%, and the average waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) was 24.7%. Compared to MyPlate dietary guidelines, children and adolescents had a higher added sugar intake (57g/day). Also, the consumption of vegetables, fruits, and dairy fell short of MyPlate dietary guidelines. The total discretionary calorie intake in children and adolescents was approximately one-third of the total energy intake.

Conclusion: The food consumption of Jordanian children and adolescents includes high intakes of discretionary calories, with a low intake of fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. The prevalence of overweight/obesity was elevated compared to international norms.