"The report compiles data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) spanning 1999 to August 2023."
CDC Announces Landmark Nutritional Biomarker Report
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced plans to publish the National Report on Biochemical Indicators of Diet and Nutrition in the US Population in June 2026. A summary article in Current Developments in Nutrition details the report's extensive scope.
Key Details at a Glance
The report represents a massive leap forward in public health data. It compiles data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) covering nearly 25 years, from 1999 through August 2023.
- 131 nutritional biomarkers measured from blood and urine samples of the U.S. population aged 1 year and older.
- Newly reported biomarkers include vitamin B12 status, omega-3 index, copper, zinc, trans-fatty acids, folate forms, caffeine metabolites, and RBC fatty acids.
- Over 2,700 tables and 500 figures detailing trends, reference intervals, and concentrations stratified by age, sex, race/Hispanic origin, and supplement use.
Background and Context
NHANES is a cross-sectional survey that uniquely combines interviews, physical exams, and laboratory tests. This includes a broad range of nutritional biomarkers along with sociodemographic, lifestyle, and health data.
Previous CDC nutrition reports covered a fraction of the data now available:
- 27 biomarkers (1999-2002)
- 58 biomarkers (2003-2006)
- 50 biomarkers (August 2021-August 2023)
Intended Use
The report is designed for policymakers, clinicians, and researchers to support program planning, intervention monitoring, and reference interval development. With this comprehensive dataset, stakeholders will have unprecedented insight into the nutritional status of the U.S. population.
"The report features over 2,700 tables and 500 figures showing trends, reference intervals, and stratified concentrations."