Dietary intake patterns, nutrient adequacy and associated factors in a multi-ethnic Caribbean population.

This article focuses on dietary intake patterns, nutrient inadequacies, and related sociodemographic, anthropometric, and lifestyle factors among adults in Trinidad and Tobago. Using a cross-sectional design with a convenience sample of 11,783 adults, the study identified three main dietary patterns—'Typical,' 'Fruits and Vegetables,' and 'High Fat'—which explained 45% of the variance in food consumption. Processed and ultra-processed foods accounted for approximately 80% of energy and nutrient intake, with notable inadequacies observed in potassium, vitamins B12, D, E, K, fiber, magnesium, and iron (particularly among females). The mean nutrient adequacy ratio was 67%, and nutrient adequacy was positively associated with dietary patterns regardless of sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. The findings highlight the need for public health strategies to increase access to nutrient-dense foods and address micronutrient deficiencies within the context of prevalent processed food consumption and sedentary lifestyles.