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Estimated long-term fish and shellfish intake—national health and nutrition examination survey

Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology volume 23, pages 128–136 (2013)Cite this article

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Abstract

Usual intake estimates describe long-term average intake of food and nutrients and food contaminants. The frequencies of fish and shellfish intake over a 30-day period from National Health and Examination Survey (NHANES 1999–2006) were combined with 24-h dietary recall data from NHANES 2003–2004 using a Monte Carlo procedure to estimate the usual intake of fish and shellfish in this study. Usual intakes were estimated for the US population including children 1 to <11 years, males/females 11 to <16 years, 16 to <21 years, and adults 21+ years. Estimated mean fish intake (consumers only) was highest among children 1 to <2 years and 2 to <3 years, at 0.37 g/kg-day for both age groups, and lowest for females 11 to <16 years, at 0.13 g/kg-day. In all age groups, daily intake estimates were highest for breaded fish, salmon, and mackerel. Among children and teenage consumers, tuna, salmon, and breaded fish were the most frequently consumed fish; shrimp, scallops, and crabs were the most frequently consumed shellfish. The intake estimates from this study better reflect long-term average intake rates and are preferred to assess long-term intake of nutrients and possible exposure to environmental contaminants from fish and shellfish sources than 2-day average estimates.

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Acknowledgements

This study was funded by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Exponent, Washington, DC, USA

    Nga L Tran, Leila M Barraj & Xiaoyu Bi

  2. US EPA, Washington, DC, USA

    Laurie C Schuda & Jacqueline Moya

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  1. Nga L Tran
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  2. Leila M Barraj
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  3. Xiaoyu Bi
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Correspondence to Nga L Tran.

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Supplementary Information accompanies the paper on the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology website

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Tran, N., Barraj, L., Bi, X. et al. Estimated long-term fish and shellfish intake—national health and nutrition examination survey. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 23, 128–136 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/jes.2012.96

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