Purpose: The aim was to analyze the intake of whole grain (WG) and associations with lifestyle and demographics in a newly established cohort of Danish adults.
Methods: Between 2015 and 2019, Danes were enrolled into The Diet, Cancer and Health-Next Generations cohort. A total of 38,553 persons were included in the current cross-sectional study, where all completed a 376-item food frequency questionnaire, a lifestyle questionnaire, and a physical examination in a study center where physical measurements and biological samples were collected.
Results: The median intake of WG was 79 g/10 mega joule (MJ) and 54% of the participants consumed the amount of WG recommended in Denmark, which is 75 g/10 MJ. The probability of consuming the recommended amount of WG was highest among men, persons < 30 years, students, persons with body mass index (BMI) < 25 kg/m2, persons participating in sports, who did not exceed the recommended maximum intake of alcohol and did not smoke. The probability of having a low intake of WG defined as < 25 g/10 MJ was highest among persons with short education, BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2, persons not participating in sports, persons having an alcohol intake above the recommended maximum level and persons being active smokers.
Conclusion: The median intake of WG was 79 g/10 MJ. The probability of consuming at least 75 g WG/10 MJ was highest among persons who also adhered to healthy lifestyle measured by other factors. Only 6% of the cohort participants consumed < 25 g WG/10 MJ, these persons were more likely to have a general less healthy lifestyle.
Keywords: Cross-sectional study; Demographics; Intake; Lifestyle; Whole grain.