Alignment of dietary patterns with EAT-Lancet recommendations: a cross-sectional study of plant-based energy and nutrient intakes in New Zealand adolescents

Abstract

Several plant-based dietary patterns, including the EAT-Lancet diet, are associated with a reduced risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Risk factors for NCDs usually emerge during adolescence including smoking, physical inactivity, and poor diet. This was a cross-sectional study of New Zealand (NZ) female adolescents. A self-administered online questionnaire collected sociodemographic information and diet was assessed by two non-consecutive 24-hour recalls. Foods were classified as either plant or animal. Energy and nutrients intakes were determined using FoodWorks. Energy-containing foods were coded with the food targets for macronutrient intake given in the EAT-Lancet report. The 256 participants had a mean (SD) age of 16.8 (0.9) years and mean (SD) BMI z-score of 0.73 (0.96); 15.2% self-identified as vegetarians including vegans. The mean proportion of plant-based energy in omnivores was 69% (range 43–92%) and in vegetarians was 83% (range 51–100%). The diets of vegetarians were better aligned with EAT-Lancet than those eating an omnivorous diet. Overall, intakes of whole grains, legumes, nuts, and unsaturated fats were lower and refined grains higher than EAT-Lancet. If the diet of NZ adolescents moved closer to some of the targets of the EAT-Lancet diet (i.e. less meat, more legumes, nuts and whole grains), this could reduce their risk of NCDs.