Nuts are rich sources of unsaturated fats, protein, fibre and a variety of minerals and vitamins including vitamin E, folate, Mg and Ca( Reference Brufau, Boatella and Rafecas 1 – Reference Vinson and Cai 4 ). They also contain phytochemicals that along with other nutrients may explain the reduction in chronic disease, in particular CVD, observed in both epidemiological and clinical trials with regular nut consumption( Reference Afshin, Micha and Khatibzadeh 5 – Reference Zhou, Yu and He 9 ). In addition, although nuts are high in energy, research has suggested that nut consumers have a healthier body weight than those who do not consume nuts( Reference Flores-Mateo, Rojas-Rueda and Basora 10 – Reference Vadivel, Kunyanga and Biesalski 14 ).
The recommendation to regularly consume nuts is an integral component of the dietary guidelines of many countries worldwide. For example, in the USA, a qualified health claim stating that eating 42 g of nuts per d may reduce the risk of heart disease was approved in 2003( 15 ). In New Zealand, the Heart Foundation guideline recommends a daily consumption of 30 g of nuts( Reference Tey, Brown and Chisholm 16 ).
Nut consumption patterns have been described in Europe( Reference Aranceta, Rodrigo and Naska 17 , Reference Jenab, Sabat and Slimani 18 ) and the USA( Reference King, Blumberg and Ingwersen 19 – Reference O'Neil, Keast and Nicklas 22 ). Data from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study suggest that there is a clear northern to southern gradient in terms of tree nut consumption( Reference Jenab, Sabat and Slimani 18 ). For example, in Northern, Central and Southern Europe, the percentage of tree nut consumers has been estimated to be 2·0 % (average intake of 20·3 g/d among nut consumers), 4·3 % (average intake of 27·2 g/d among nut consumers) and 6·3 % (average intake of 29·1 g/d among nut consumers), respectively. It was thought that this gradient was due to cultural differences, where diets in Southern Europe more closely reflected a Mediterranean-style diet where nuts can provide an important source of energy. Collectively, data from the EPIC study show that the percentage of consumers of total nut including tree nuts, peanuts, nut butters and nuts from hidden sources across ten European countries was 27 % with a mean gram amount of 14·6 g/d among consumers. When considering whole nuts only, the percentage of consumers was 6·9 % with a mean gram amount of 2·2 g/d among the whole population and a mean gram amount of 30·8 g/d among nut consumers. In Europe, whole tree nut consumption (4·4 %) was more prevalent than consumption of whole peanuts (2·3 %), with the most popular nuts being walnuts, almonds and hazelnuts, respectively( Reference Jenab, Sabat and Slimani 18 ). This is in contrast to the USA where data on the annual per capita consumption of nuts, which is based on food disappearance information, suggest that peanuts are more commonly consumed than tree nuts( Reference Lino, Marcoe and Dinkins 23 ). Although there are data on the types of nuts most commonly consumed, to date, studies have not examined the most popular forms of nuts, e.g. raw, roasted and salted. Analysis of data from the 2001–4 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) showed that the percentage of consumers of any nut (whole nuts, peanut butter, nuts from hidden sources and nuts in recipes) was higher in the USA than in Europe (34 v. 27 %). Interestingly, peanut butter consumption was substantially higher in the USA than in Europe (8 v. 1 %), whereas consumption of whole nuts was found to be slightly higher in Europe (6·9 v. 6·0 %).
Researchers have also investigated some of the factors associated with nut consumption. In the USA, the percentage of nut consumers among those aged 19–51 years and over 51 years was 5·5 and 8·4 %, respectively( Reference O'Neil, Keast and Fulgoni 20 ), a statistically significant difference, suggesting that age is associated with nut consumption. Additionally, tree nuts were most likely to be consumed by ‘white’ adults with higher income and education levels( Reference O'Neil, Keast and Fulgoni 20 ). Similar results were found in several European countries, where a higher level of education for the head of the household was associated with higher nut availability( Reference Aranceta, Rodrigo and Naska 17 ). In the EPIC cohort, women were more likely to be whole nut consumers, while men who consumed nuts had a higher mean intake( Reference Jenab, Sabat and Slimani 18 ).
Despite the Heart Foundation recommendation in New Zealand (NZ) to consume 30 g/d of nuts, there is no information on the nut consumption patterns of New Zealanders. The 2008/09 New Zealand Adult Nutrition Survey (2008/09 NZANS) provided an opportunity to investigate the percentage of nut consumers and mean grams consumed in the NZ adult population along with the predictors of nut consumption. Furthermore, the 2008/09 NZANS collected information on the types and forms of nuts consumed. Knowledge of nut consumption at a population level will assist in assessing and refining public health initiatives and strategies to encourage regular nut consumption as a means of reducing chronic disease.
Experimental methods
Study design and sample
The 2008/09 NZANS was a cross-sectional survey that used a national sample of NZ adults aged 15 years and older. Participants were recruited using a three-stage selection process involving the selection of 607 mesh blocks using a probability-proportional-to-size design. A mesh block is a small geographical region within NZ as defined by Statistics New Zealand. Each mesh block contains approximately sixty households in rural areas and 110 households in urban areas. A random selection of households within the mesh blocks was followed by a random selection of a participant within the household. Oversampling of Māori and Pacific people, with age groups of 15–18 and 71 years and over, was used in order to achieve adequate numbers for analysis by ethnicity and age. Recruitment took place from late October 2008 to early October 2009. Participation in the survey was voluntary. Before the interview, informed written consent was obtained from each participant, or from the guardian of the participants aged < 18 years. The present study was conducted according to the guidelines laid down in the Declaration of Helsinki, and all procedures involving human subjects were approved by the New Zealand Health and Disability Multi-Region Ethics Committee (MEC/08/04/049). A full description of the methods and study design is available elsewhere( 24 ).
Dietary assessment
Survey data were collected at the participant's home by trained interviewers using computer-assisted personal interview software. An interviewer-administered multiple-pass 24 h dietary recall method was used to collect quantitative information on all foods and beverages the participant consumed the previous day (from midnight to midnight) both at and away from home.
In the first stage of the recall, a ‘quick list’ of all foods, beverages and dietary supplements consumed during the preceding day (midnight to midnight) was obtained. In the second stage, detailed descriptions of all the foods and beverages consumed were collected. Information on any additions made to food before eating was also collected. In the third stage, estimates of the amounts of all foods and beverages consumed were obtained. The amount eaten was described by volume wherever possible (e.g. cups or tablespoons). In addition, food photographs, shape dimensions, food portion assessment aids (e.g. dried beans) and packaging information were used. Finally, in the fourth stage, the foods were reviewed in chronological order and the information collected (including descriptions and amounts eaten) was checked. Repeat interviews were conducted on 1180 participants, but these were not used here.
Determination of nut consumption
Nut consumption was determined according to the method described by Jenab et al. ( Reference Jenab, Sabat and Slimani 18 ) to allow for comparison with the EPIC study. For the purpose of the analysis, the term ‘nuts’ includes tree nuts, mixed nuts and peanuts. Chestnuts, coconut and coconut products were not included in the analysis as their nutrient profiles differ from the aforementioned ‘nuts’. Tree nuts include almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamias, mixed nuts, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios and walnuts.
Nut consumption was assessed using the 24 h dietary recall data from the ANS08/09 and subsequently divided into three categories: (1) whole nuts including tree nuts, mixed nuts and peanuts eaten whole as part of a snack (e.g. mixed nut snacks), or as an addition to a food/meal (e.g. almonds sprinkled on a salad); (2) nut butters including those made from peanuts and tree nuts (e.g. peanut butter and hazelnut spread); (3) nuts from hidden sources including tree nuts, peanuts and mixed nuts eaten as ingredients in recipes or as part of commercial products (e.g. breakfast cereals, snack bars and satay).
The nut type and amounts consumed from hidden sources were determined with the assistance of the 2008/09 NZANS research dietitian who was familiar with NZ recipes and products. A search for nut ingredients of all generic recipes used in the survey was undertaken. The estimation of nut quantity from these hidden sources is more subject to error; hence, these particular results should be interpreted with greater caution. Total nuts encompass whole nuts, nut butters and nuts from hidden sources.
Participants who reported consuming a non-zero quantity of nuts, of a specific type or overall, in their 24 h dietary recall were classified as ‘nut consumers’ of that type or overall. The mean amount of nuts eaten among nut consumers is referred to as ‘mean grams eaten among consumers (g/d)’. The mean amount of nuts eaten by the total population of the 2008/09 NZANS is referred to as ‘mean grams eaten among the population (g/d)’.
Demographic variables
Demographic variables were selected a priori after reviewing the literature. Variables included sex, age group (15–18, 19–30, 31–50, 51–70 and 71+ years), prioritised ethnicity, New Zealand Index of Deprivation (NZDep06), level of education, BMI and household food security status.
Ethnicity
Ethnicity was self-reported and participants were categorised into one of three ethnic groups based on a priority classification system using the coding prioritisation order of Māori, Pacific people and New Zealand European and Other.
New Zealand Index of Deprivation
The NZDep06 is an area-based measure of deprivation that uses nine variables from the NZ census, which reflect specified dimensions of both material and social deprivation. Each mesh block in NZ is given a score between 1 and 10, with a score of 1 reflecting the ‘least’ deprived areas and 10 the ‘most’ deprived. For the purpose of the 2008/09 NZANS, these scores were divided into quintiles, where quintile 1 represents the least and quintile 5 represents the most deprived areas.
Education
Participants reported their highest school level qualification, and, where appropriate, their highest post-school qualification. For the analysis, three groups comprising no formal school qualification, secondary school qualification only or post-school qualification (including trade certificates and university degrees) were derived.
Anthropometry
Trained interviewers carried out height and weight measurements in duplicate. Standing height was measured using a stadiometer (Seca 214; Seca) and weight using electronic scales (Tanita HD-351; Tanita). BMI was calculated as weight (kg)/height (m)2. The WHO BMI cut-offs were used to categorise BMI status in participants aged 19 years and over. The Cole age- and sex-specific BMI cut-offs were used to categorise BMI status in those aged 15–18 years( Reference Cole, Bellizzi and Flegal 25 , Reference Cole, Flegal and Nicholls 26 ).
Food security
Household food security was measured using a validated scale based on a series of eight statements developed for use in NZ( Reference Parnell, Wilson and Mann 27 ). The statements were used to assess whether participants considered that their household had a compromised food intake. Participants were classified into three categories, namely full, moderate or low food security, with low representing those who were least food secure.
Statistical analyses
The complex survey design described above was accounted for in all analyses presented herein. This included incorporating both sampling weights and clustering. The sampling weights used were post-stratified weights for the questionnaire component of the NZANS and based on prioritised ethnicity to reflect population estimates.
Participant characteristics and the percentage of nut consumption are presented as actual frequencies and survey-adjusted percentages. Mean grams of nuts eaten among consumers and the whole population (g/d) are presented as survey-adjusted means and 95 % CI.
Regression models included sex, age group, prioritised ethnicity, NZDep06 quintile, education, BMI category and food security status, and were used to calculate adjusted (least-squares) means for grams of nuts eaten among consumers. Multiple logistic regression was used to estimate the adjusted OR and 95 % CI, with the aforementioned variables entered into the model, for whole nut, nut butter and total nut consumption. Standard regression diagnostics were used in all cases. Analyses did not include total energy as a covariate because our focus was on absolute amounts, which are consistent with nut consumption guidelines, and identifying groups who might be of interest in public health interventions around nut consumption (including BMI categories). Any associations with total energy or BMI when both were included in a model would be difficult to interpret because of the relationship between these factors.
All statistical analyses were performed using Stata Statistical Software 12.1 (StataCorp LP). All statistical tests were two-sided, and P< 0·05 was considered statistically significant. For categorical variables, where the overall result was statistically significant, pairwise comparisons were made between the levels of that variable. No adjustments for multiple comparisons were made. Tendencies (0·05 < P< 0·10) were observed, which may be of interest for future research or suggest the overall patterns.
Results
Characteristics of the sample
Table 1 describes the characteristics of the 2008/09 NZANS sample. A total of 4721 participants were recruited and completed a 24 h dietary recall.
Characteristics of the survey participants (Number of participants and survey-weighted percentages)
NZEO, New Zealand European and Other; NZDep06, New Zealand Index of Deprivation.
Percentage of consumers of whole nuts, nut butters, nuts from hidden sources and total nuts
The percentages of the population consuming whole nuts, nut butters and nuts from hidden sources on the day of the 24 h dietary recall are shown in Table 2. The percentage of the population consuming whole nuts was 6·9 %. Among the individual consuming whole tree nuts, the most commonly reported nut intakes were almonds (2·0 %), followed by mixed nuts (1·2 %), cashews (1·2 %), Brazil nuts (0·5 %) and walnuts (0·4 %). Consumption of hazelnuts ( < 0·1 %), macadamias (0·1 %), pecans (0·02 %), pine nuts (0·2 %) and pistachios (0·1 %) were reported by less than 0·3 % of the population. Peanuts were consumed by 1·9 % of the population.
Percentage of nut consumers and mean grams eaten by the population and nut consumers of individual whole tree nuts, peanuts, nut butters, nuts from hidden sources and total sources combined, on the day of the 24 h recall (Mean values or percentages and 95 % confidence intervals)
* P value for differences in the mean percentage of nut consumers between males and females.
† P value for differences in mean grams eaten among the population (g/d) between males and females.
‡ P value for differences in mean grams eaten (g/d) among male and female nut consumers.
§ Other nuts consumed by less than ten individuals include hazelnuts, macadamias, pecans, pine nuts and pistachios.
Tree nut butter consumption was only 0·9 %, with peanut butter intake being far more prevalent at 6·4 %. The percentage of the population consuming nuts from hidden sources was 19·2 %. When all nut sources were combined, over one-quarter (28·9 %) of the population consumed nuts on the study day.
There was no evidence for sex differences, although there was a tendency for the percentage of whole tree nut consumption to be higher among females than among males (6·0 v. 4·3 %, P= 0·082).
Mean grams of whole nuts, nut butters, nuts from hidden sources and total nuts eaten among the population
Mean grams of tree nuts, peanuts and total whole nuts eaten among the population were 1·6, 1·1 and 2·8 g/d, respectively. The mean grams of tree nut butters eaten were very low at 0·02 g/d, whereas the consumption of peanut butter was relatively much higher at 0·9 g/d. The mean gram of nuts from hidden sources eaten was 1·5 g/d. When nuts from all sources were considered collectively, the mean gram of total nuts eaten was 5·2 g/d, which is well below the recommended level of 30 g/d in NZ.
When examining sex differences, the mean grams of almonds (P= 0·042) and ‘other nuts’ (P= 0·047) eaten were significantly higher among females, whereas the mean grams of peanut butter (P= 0·055) and nuts from hidden sources (P= 0·065) eaten tended to be higher among males.
Mean grams of whole nuts, nut butters, nuts from hidden sources and total nuts eaten among nut consumers
The mean grams of whole nuts, whole tree nuts and whole peanuts eaten among consumers were 40·3, 31·1 and 58·3 g/d, respectively (Table 2). The mean gram of tree nut butters eaten among consumers was relatively low, namely 2·6 g/d, whereas the mean gram of peanut butter eaten was 14·0 g. The mean gram of nuts consumed from hidden sources was 7·8 g/d. When nuts from all sources were combined, the gram eaten among all nut consumers was 17·9 g/d.
The mean grams of walnuts, peanut butter, nuts from hidden sources, and combining nuts from all sources eaten were all higher in males than in females (all P≤ 0·023), whereas the mean gram of ‘other nuts’ eaten was lower in males (P= 0·035).
Predictors of nut consumption
Tables 3–5 report the adjusted OR (95 % CI) for consuming whole nuts, nut butters and total nuts for a number of demographic variables. There was a tendency for females to be more likely to report total nut consumption than males (OR 1·22, 95 % CI 0·98, 1·50, P= 0·071); however, this difference was not apparent for whole nut or nut butter consumption alone.
Whole nut consumption in the previous 24 h and mean grams of whole nuts eaten per d among consumers (Adjusted odds ratios and 95 % confidence intervals, n 240)
NZEO, New Zealand European and Other; NZDep, New Zealand Index of Deprivation.
a,b,cValues with unlike superscript letters were significantly different (P< 0·05).
* Calculated using survey logistic regression and adjusted for all other covariates.
† Overall P value was obtained from regression models.
‡ When the overall P values were < 0·05, pairwise comparisons were made.
Nut butter consumption in the previous 24 h and mean grams of nut butters eaten among consumers (Adjusted odds ratios and 95 % confidence intervals, n 346)
NZEO, New Zealand European and Other; NZDep, New Zealand Index of Deprivation.
a,b,cValues with unlike superscript letters were significantly different (P< 0·05).
* Calculated using survey logistic regression and adjusted for all other covariates.
† Overall P value was obtained from regression models.
‡ When the overall P values were < 0·05, pairwise comparisons were made.
Total nut consumption in the previous 24 h and mean grams of total nuts eaten among consumers (Odds ratios and 95 % confidence intervals, n 1167)
NZEO, New Zealand European and Other; NZDep, New Zealand Index of Deprivation.
a,b,cValues with unlike superscript letters were significantly different (P< 0·05).
* Calculated using survey logistic regression and adjusted for all other covariates.
† Overall P value was obtained from regression models.
‡ When the overall P values were < 0·05, pairwise comparisons were made.
Associations were found in adjusted models between age and whole nut (overall P< 0·001), nut butter (overall P= 0·005) and total nut (overall P= 0·049) consumption. The likelihood of consuming whole nuts was lowest in the 15- to 18-year age group, but nut butter consumption was highest in this age group. When assessing total nut consumption, the highest prevalence was in the 31- to 50-year age group. This age group was significantly more likely to include consumers of total nuts than those aged 19–30 years (OR 1·55, 95 % CI 1·11, 2·16, P= 0·010) and 71 years and over (OR 1·39, 95 % CI 1·07, 1·81, P= 0·015).
There were tendencies for the differences between the ethnic groups for consumption of whole nuts (overall P= 0·090) and total nuts (overall P= 0·067), but not for nut butter consumption (overall P= 0·449), with a pattern of lower rates among Māori and Pacific people than among the New Zealand European and Other group for consumption of whole nuts and total nuts.
There was a significant relationship between the percentage of total nut consumption and NZDep06 quintile (overall P= 0·002). Individuals living in the most deprived area (NZDep06-Q5) were significantly less likely to consume total nuts than those living in all the other areas (all P≤ 0·006).
There was a significant relationship between BMI and the percentage of whole nut intake only, with the highest percentage in those with a BMI < 25 kg/m2 (overall P= 0·028). Both those in the overweight (OR 0·62, 95 % CI 0·39, 0·97, P= 0·036) and obese categories (OR 0·54, 95 % CI 0·33, 0·89, P= 0·016) were less likely to consume whole nuts compared with those with a healthy BMI. There was no evidence of a difference between the overweight and obese categories (P= 0·600).
Education level was a significant predictor of total nut consumption only (overall P= 0·025). Individuals with post-school education (OR 1·49, 95 % CI 1·11, 2·00, P= 0·007) were significantly more likely to consume nuts than those with no school qualification.
Predictors of grams of nuts eaten
Tables 3–5 also report the mean grams of nuts eaten per d among consumers in relation to a number of demographic variables. When adjusting for all other variables in the model, mean grams of whole nuts (Table 3), nut butters (Table 4) and total nuts (Table 5) eaten were significantly higher among males than among females (all P≤ 0·034).
Overall, there was a significant association between age and mean grams of both whole nuts (overall P= 0·040) and total nuts (overall P= 0·007) eaten. For whole nuts, pairwise comparisons found higher mean grams eaten among those aged 51–70 years compared with those aged 71 years and over (adjusted difference 20·0, 95 % CI 6·2, 33·8 g, P= 0·004). For total nuts, pairwise comparisons found that grams eaten among those aged 31–50 and 51–70 years were significantly higher compared with those aged 15–18 and 71 years and over.
There was a significant relationship between ethnicity and mean grams of whole nuts (overall P= 0·032) and nut butters (overall P= 0·003) eaten. For whole nuts, Pacific people consumed significantly larger amounts than both New Zealand European and Other (adjusted difference 34·7, 95 % CI 7·2, 62·1 g, P= 0·013) and Māori (adjusted difference 38·2, 95 % CI 8·3, 68·1 g, P= 0·012). For nut butters, Māori consumed significantly greater amounts than the New Zealand European and Other group (adjusted difference 8·0, 95 % CI 3·2, 12·8 g, P= 0·001).
Overall, there was a significant U-shaped relationship between NZDep06 quintile and mean grams of whole nuts (overall P= 0·042) and total nuts (overall P= 0·045) eaten, with the lowest amounts in NZDep06-Q3 and the highest in NZDep06-Q1 and NZDep06-Q5.
In addition, there was a significant relationship between education level and mean grams of nut butters (overall P= 0·003) and total nuts (overall P= 0·040) eaten, with a tendency for whole nuts (overall P= 0·055). For nut butters, pairwise comparisons found that amounts eaten by those with school education was significantly larger than those with post-school education (adjusted difference 7·0, 95 % CI 3·0, 11·0 g, P= 0·001). For total nuts, the amount consumed by those with school education was significantly larger than those without a school qualification (adjusted difference 7·7, 95 % CI 1·7, 13·6 g, P= 0·012).
Raw and processed nuts
Whole nut consumption was further categorised into raw, roasted and salted, roasted and unsalted, honey-roasted, and non-specified (Table 6). Overall, 54 % of whole nut consumers ate their nuts raw, 28 % as roasted and salted, 18 % as roasted and unsalted, 3 % as honey-roasted, and 4 % as non-specified (percentages may add to more than 100 % as some nut consumers reported consuming multiple forms). However, tree nuts were more likely to be consumed raw (67 %) than peanuts (12 %). Only 12 % of tree nut consumers reported consuming as roasted and salted, 19 % as roasted and unsalted, 2 % as honey-roasted, and 6 % as non-specified. In contrast, peanuts were most likely to be consumed as roasted and salted (68 %), followed by roasted and unsalted (18 %), with only 12 % reporting consuming raw peanuts. A further 5 % reported consuming peanuts as honey-roasted.
Percentage of consumers of different forms of tree nuts and peanuts when consumed as whole nuts among the total population (Mean values and 95 % confidence intervals)
* Percentages may add to more than the total as some consumers may have consumed multiple forms within the nut category.
† P value for differences in mean percentage of nut consumers between males and females.
Discussion
The present study provides a unique overview of the percentage of nut consumers, and mean grams of whole nuts, nut butters and nuts from hidden sources eaten by the whole population and nut consumers among the NZ population. This provides a valuable baseline for exploring changes in nut consumption in NZ. Furthermore, to our knowledge, this is the first population data on nut consumption in the Southern Hemisphere. Current guidelines in NZ and overseas recommend consumption of 30–42 g/d of nuts as a means of reducing CVD risk( 15 , Reference Tey, Brown and Chisholm 16 ). Our data indicate that only 6·9 % of the population consumed whole nuts on the day of their 24 h dietary recall. This suggests that public health initiatives are needed to increase the prevalence of nut consumption in the NZ population. We identified a number of factors associated with low nut consumption, which should be taken into account when designing strategies to promote nut consumption.
The percentage of whole nut consumers in NZ on their study day was 6·3 % for males and 7·4 % for females, which is remarkably similar to that reported in the EPIC study and the 2001–2004 NHANES. The EPIC study reported that the mean percentage of consumers from ten European countries was 6·9 %, with 6·4 % of males and 7·2 % of females reporting consumption of whole nuts on the day of the 24 h dietary recall( Reference Jenab, Sabat and Slimani 18 ). Comparison with US data is difficult as they define nut consumers differently. Whole nut consumers are termed ‘out of hand’ nut consumers, defined as individuals who consume nuts solely as nuts and not as part of products, with an intake of at least 7 g/d( Reference O'Neil, Keast and Nicklas 22 ). Nevertheless, their percentage of 6 % is similar to that reported in the present study.
In NZ, the most commonly consumed nuts were almonds, peanuts and mixed nuts, which are similar to the USA where the most popular nuts consumed were peanuts, mixed nuts and cashews. However, walnuts, almonds and hazelnuts were the most popular in the EPIC study. The NZ patterns of whole tree nut and peanut consumption (5·2 and 1·9 %) were similar to the EPIC study where the percentages of consumption were 4·4 and 2·3 %, respectively; however, peanuts were more commonly consumed than tree nuts in the USA( Reference Lino, Marcoe and Dinkins 23 ).
The mean gram amount eaten among those who consumed whole nuts on the day of the survey was 40 g/d. This intake is approximately 10 g/d higher than European consumers (30·8 g/d). However, the EPIC study involved ten different countries that had a wide range of intake levels. There was a noticeable north–south gradient, with northern European countries reporting a lower prevalence and quantity of whole nuts consumed. Thus, nut intake patterns in NZ appear to be similar to those in Southern Europe.
In the present study, the percentage of tree nut butter consumption was small (0·9 %), but the percentage of peanut butter consumption was higher at 6·4 %, with a mean intake of 14·0 g/d. The amount is lower than that for whole nuts; however, it does indicate that peanut butter makes a substantial contribution to the nut intake of New Zealanders. Compared with the EPIC cohort, the percentage of peanut butter consumption in NZ was substantially higher (6·4 % v. 1·0 %), and more comparable to the consumption reported in the USA of 8 %( Reference Jenab, Sabat and Slimani 18 , Reference O'Neil, Keast and Fulgoni 20 ).
Careful attention was placed on identifying the hidden sources of nuts (e.g. cereals, snack bars, satay and confectionery); however, estimating the amount consumed may not be accurate and some food products may have been missed. Therefore, this particular information should be interpreted with greater caution. Nevertheless, the percentage of consumption from these hidden sources (19·2 %) and the average estimated intake among consumers (7·8 g/d) were again remarkably similar to those reported in the European cohort where nuts from hidden sources were consumed by 20·8 % of the population with a mean gram amount of 7·7 g/d among consumers. The US percentage of nuts from hidden sources was higher at 25 %. This indicates that this nut category makes an important contribution to the nut intake of those in NZ and overseas. However, it should be borne in mind that compared with whole nuts, these sources are more likely to be associated with other ingredients such as sugar, added fat and salt. For example, data from the USA reported that of the nuts consumed from hidden sources, confectionery contributed 46 %, followed by baked items and desserts (24 %) and cookies (17 %), ahead of ready-to-eat cereal (9 %) and meals (4 %).
In line with the data reported in European and US studies, the consumption of whole nuts, nut butters and nuts from hidden sources among nut consumers was higher in males than in females. This is not surprising given the higher energy requirements and intakes of males.
The recommendations for nut consumption are largely based on clinical trials that have investigated the health benefits of raw and unsalted nuts( Reference Estruch, Ros and Salas-Salvado 28 , Reference Sabaté and Wien 29 ). The present study is the first large cross-sectional study to investigate which forms (e.g. raw v. roasted) of nuts are most commonly consumed. We further categorised whole nuts into raw, roasted, roasted and salted, roasted unsalted, honey-roasted and unspecified. For tree nuts, two-thirds were consumed raw, whereas only 12 % of peanuts were consumed raw. The majority of peanuts (68 %) were consumed as roasted and salted. Females were more likely to consume raw nuts, roasted and unsalted nuts than males. In contrast, males were more likely to consume honey-roasted nuts than females. These sex differences could be due to taste preferences and the context in which nuts were consumed, or may reflect more health-conscious decisions by females. It is unknown whether roasting and flavouring nuts negate some of the positive health benefits observed with raw nut consumption. Indeed, roasting nuts may result in the loss of the skin where many of the antioxidants reside( Reference Bullo, Lamuela-Raventos and Salas-Salvado 30 , Reference Chen, Milbury and Lapsley 31 ). These areas warrant further investigation, and the findings would provide important information to inform public health messages.
To promote regular nut consumption, it is important to gain some understanding of the factors associated with nut consumption. In NZ, age and BMI were significant predictors of whole nut consumption, with a tendency for differences between ethnicities. For nut butters, age was the only significant predictor of nut consumption, whereas for total nut consumption, age, NZDep06 and education level were predictors, with ethnicity again showing a tendency.
The percentage of nut consumption was statistically significantly lower in the 15- to 18-year age group compared with those aged over 30 years. Therefore, strategies to increase whole nut consumption in this younger age group may be important. Interestingly, nut butter consumption was highest in this younger age group, and this may be a more preferred source of nuts. To date, there is relatively little information on the health effects of peanut butter. Given this form of nut appears to be important for younger age groups, more research is required to ascertain whether the benefits from raw whole nuts can be extrapolated to nut butters. It is unclear from the present study whether these associations with age reflect either age preferences (which will change over time) or cohort effects.
Cost is one commonly reported barrier to regular nut consumption( Reference Pawlak, Colby and Herring 32 ), and these data show that those living in the most deprived areas and with the least education are least likely to consume nuts when all nut sources are combined. This finding is congruent with the results from several European countries( Reference Aranceta, Rodrigo and Naska 17 ). Therefore, public health messages need to emphasise the fact that more affordable nuts such as peanuts are also effective in improving diet quality and health status. It is noteworthy that among the groups with the lowest percentage of intake, such as Pacific people and those in the most deprived areas, mean grams of nuts eaten were relatively large. This suggests that public health initiatives may need to emphasise the initiation of nut consumption rather than increasing daily amounts in these groups.
BMI was associated with whole nut consumption. Individuals with a BMI of < 25 kg/m2 were significantly more likely to consume nuts than those in the overweight and obese categories. The cross-sectional nature of the present study prevents us from determining the direction of this relationship. As nuts are commonly perceived to be fattening, overweight and obese individuals may be less likely to consume them. Conversely, nuts are satiating and, in fact, aid in weight control; therefore, people who consume nuts regularly may be leaner than non-nut consumers. Alternatively, nut consumption may simply be a marker of a healthier diet and thus associated with a healthier body weight. Regardless, these data are in agreement with earlier epidemiological studies indicating that nut consumers tend to be leaner than non-consumers( Reference O'Neil, Keast and Nicklas 21 , Reference Bes-Rastrollo, Sabate and Gomez-Gracia 33 ). Furthermore, several clinical trials that have specifically assessed body weight in response to nut consumption have reported little or no weight gain with the addition of nuts to the regular diet in both lean and overweight individuals( Reference Fraser, Bennett and Jaceldo 34 – Reference Tey, Brown and Gray 38 ). Mechanisms for the less than predicted weight gain observed in these studies include the satiating effects of nuts, which result in dietary compensation, and the loss of metabolisable energy when whole nuts are consumed( Reference Flores-Mateo, Rojas-Rueda and Basora 10 , Reference Tan, Dhillon and Mattes 13 , Reference Tey, Brown and Gray 38 , Reference Novotny, Gebauer and Baer 39 ).
There are some important limitations to bear in mind when interpreting the results of the present study. Dietary data were obtained from a 24 h recall; thus, many nut consumers will not have consumed nuts on the day of the survey. A limitation with using a single 24 h dietary recall is that it does not account for day-to-day variations in consumption. Thus, we can only present the likelihood of participants reporting nut consumption on a given day among a representative sample of the NZ population. A further limitation was the identification of hidden sources of nuts. While every attempt was made to identify hidden nuts as ingredients in recipes and commercial food products, the estimation of nut consumption from these sources may have been underestimated.
In summary, the percentage of nut consumers, mean grams eaten among the population and nut consumers in NZ are remarkably similar to those reported in Europe and in the USA. Given the well-documented health benefits of regular nut consumption, the low prevalence of nut consumption reported herein and elsewhere is of concern, and it would appear prudent to adopt strategies to increase nut intake. We have identified potentially important predictors of nut consumption including age, socio-economic status and BMI. Different forms of nuts appear to be more acceptable to different population groups. Further investigation of the potential health benefits of different types and forms of nuts is warranted in order to inform public health recommendations. In addition, common barriers to nut consumption such as cost and the perception of weight gain need to be addressed. Combined with the evidence from clinical trials, nuts could be promoted in moderation to those who struggle to maintain a healthy weight given the seemingly low risk of adverse weight gain.
Acknowledgements
The authors thank all the 4721 New Zealanders who participated in the 2008/09 NZANS.
The 2008/09 NZANS was funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Health. The New Zealand Crown is the owner of the copyright for the survey data. The results presented in this article are the work of the authors.
The authors’ contributions were as follows: R. C. B., W. P., A. R. G., E. F. and C. B. designed and/or conducted the research; R. C. B. performed the statistical analyses with assistance from A. R. G.; C. S., E. F. and C. B. managed the dietary analysis; W. P. was the principal investigator of the 2008/09 Zealand Adult Nutrition Survey; R. C. B., S. L. T., A. R. G. and A. C. wrote the manuscript. All authors reviewed and approved the final manuscript.
There are no conflicts of interest.
