Determinants of Diet quality among Canadian adolescents

Purpose: Dietary intakes and nutrition behaviours were examined among different diet quality groups of Canadian adolescents. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 2850 Alberta and Ontario adolescents aged14to17, who completedaself-administered web-based survey that examined nutrient intakes and meal behaviours (meal frequency and meal consumption away from home). Results: Mean macronutrient intakes were within Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Ranges; however, micronutrient intakes and median food group intakes were below recommendations based onCanada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating(CFGHE). Overall diet quality indicated that 43%, 47%, and 10% of students had poor, average, and superior diet quality, respectively. Adolescents with lower diet quality had significantly different intakes of macronutrients andCFGHE-defined "other foods."Intermsofdiet quality determinants, those with poor diet quality had higher frequenciesofsuboptimal meal behaviours. Students with poor diet quality consumed breakfast and lunch less frequently than did those with average and superior diet quality. Conclusions: Canadian adolescents have low intakes of CFGHE-recommended foods and high intakes of "other foods." Those with poor diet quality had suboptimal macronutrient intakes and increased meal skipping and meal consumption away from home. Adherence to CFGHE may promote optimal dietary intakes and improve nutritional behaviours.