Dietary Diversity in Mexican Adolescents from a 2016 National Survey
Authors: Gaona‐Pineda Elsa Berenice , Rodriguez‐Ramirez Sonia , Martinez‐Tapia Brenda , Valenzuela‐Bravo Danae Gabriela , Gomez‐Acosta Luz María , Shamah‐Levy Teresa 
Published: November 2023

ObjectiveTo estimate a dietary diversity score (DDS) in Mexican adolescents (12–19 years old) from a 2016 National Health and Nutrition Survey.MethodsFrom a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire of 7 days, foods and beverages were classified into 12 food groups: fruits and vegetables, legumes, meats, poultry and fish; water, egg, cured meats, fast food and fried Mexican snacks, salty snacks, candies and desserts, sweetened cereals, sweetened beverages and sweetened dairy beverages and dairy products. One point was assigned to each food group if it was consumed at least 10 grams and three days. A score was estimated by the sum of food group points and tertiles were obtained. Mean DDS and percentages of adolescents in each dietary diversity (DD) category was estimated taking into account the complex survey design and sample weights.ResultsDDS was obtained for 2447 sample that represents 15, 998, 501 Mexican adolescents. The mean DDS was 6.8 (95%CI: 6.6, 6.9), females tended to have a lower DDS score than males (6.4; 95% CI: 6.3, 6.6 vs. 7.1; 95% CI: 6.9, 7.2), adolescents resident of rural areas showed a lower DDS than adolescents from urban areas (6.6, 95% CI: 6.3, 6.8 vs. 6.8, 95% CI: 6.8, 7.0). Only 20.8% (95%CI: 18%, 23.8%) of Mexican adolescents had a high DD, 33% (95% CI: 30.1%, 36.6%) medium DD and 45.9% (95% CI: 42.6%, 49.2%) showed low DD.The main food groups that were consumed by at least 50% of adolescents in the lowest DD category were water, fruits and vegetables and sweetened beverages. For medium DD category were: water, fruits and vegetables sweetened beverages, dairy, snacks, candies and desserts, legumes sweetened cereals, meats, poultry and fish and egg; while in high DD category were: Fruits and vegetables, water, sweetened beverages, salty snacks, candies and desserts, dairy products, meats, poultry and fish, sweetened cereals, legumes, egg, sweetened dairy beverages and cured meats (Table 1).ConclusionsA high proportion of Mexican adolescents consumed sweetened drinks, the high DD is related to a high proportion of adolescents that consumed non‐recommended food groups. A strengthening of public policies is needed in order to reduce non‐recommended food groups consumption and prevent chronic diseases in Mexican population.Support or Funding InformationMexican Ministry of Health
Food groups consumed by at least 50% of adolescents by DD category

Low DD
Medium DD
High DD

Food group
% (95% CI)
Food group
% (95% CI)
Food group
% (95% CI)

Water
92.7 (90.4, 94.4)
Water
96.8 (95.1, 97.9)
Fruits and vegetables
98.8 (97.4, 99.5)

Fruits and vegetables
80.8 (76.6, 84.4)
Fruits and vegetables
95.8 (93.6, 97.3)
Water
97.7 (95.4, 98.9)

Sweetened beverages
75 (70.7, 78.9)
Sweetened beverages
87.6 (83, 91.1)
Sweetened beverages
97.5 (94.8, 98.8)

Dairy products
73.3 (67.7, 78.3)
Salty snacks, candies and desserts
89.6 (84, 93.4)

Salty snacks, candies and desserts
70.4 (65, 75.3)
Dairy products
85.5 (78.5, 90.5)

Legumes
70.2 (64.6, 75.3)
Meats, poultry and fish
83.7 (78, 88.2)

Cereales dulces
62.3 (56.6, 67.8)
Cereales dulces
83.3 (75.2, 89.1)

Meats, poultry and fish
55.8 (50.7, 60.8)
Legumes
82.9 (75.1, 88.6)

Egg
50.6 (44.8, 56.4)
Egg
80.2 (73.6, 85.4)

Sweetened dairy beverages
59.4 (51.9, 66.5)

Cured meats
53.5 (45.6, 61.3)