Avocado Intake Among Adolescents Is Associated with Higher Diet Quality and Healthier Dietary Intake

OBJECTIVES: Avocado is a nutrient-rich food that has been shown to benefit the health and diet quality of adults. Our aim is to determine if habitual intake of avocado among adolescents is associated with their diet quality and food and nutrient intake. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, participants aged 12–18 years old (n = 534) from selected public and middle-high schools near two major Adventist universities reported their dietary intake in a validated web-based food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Intake of nutrients, food/food groups, and avocado were calculated from the FFQ; diet quality was determined using the Diet Quality Index-International (DQI-I). Data was analyzed with descriptive statistics, comparison tests, and general linear modeling using SAS 9.3 and R. RESULTS: Compared to non-consumers, avocado consumers had significantly higher covariate-adjusted mean scores on total DQI-I (68.3 vs. 64.6) and energy-adjusted mean scores on the DQI-I components variety (18.8 vs. 18.0) and adequacy (36.4 vs. 33.4). Avocado consumption was significantly associated with DQI-I components adequacy (β [SE] = 0.11 [.03]) and moderation (β [SE] = 0.06 [.03]). Mean intakes of fruits, vegetables, and plant protein foods, total and vegetable proteins, dietary fiber, retinol, vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, iron, and potassium were significantly higher for avocado consumers; saturated and trans fats intakes were significantly higher for non-consumers. CONCLUSIONS: In our adolescent population, avocado consumption was associated with higher diet quality and intake of plant-based foods and the known shortfall nutrients in this population. Greater exposure to avocado may potentially improve dietary intake of adolescents. FUNDING SOURCES: Hass Avocado Board.