Healthy Eating Score–7 as a Measure of Diet Quality in a Military Population

Objective: Identify potential revisions to the Healthy Eating Score (HES-5) that improve associations with the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) -2015 total and component scores. Methods: Pearson r correlations were determined from soldiers' (n = 433) survey data, including the HES, proposed additional questions, and the Block Food Frequency Questionnaire. Results: Adding sugar-sweetened beverages and energy drink questions (HES-7) strengthened the HES and HEI-2015 correlation (HES-5; r = 0.42, n = 433, r(2) = 0.18, P < 0.001) (HES-7; r = 0.52, r(2) = 0.27, P < 0.001). The HES components and Block Food Frequency Questionnaire consumption correlations were as follows: quantity of fruit (r = 0.37, r(2) = 0.14, P < 0.001), vegetables (r = 0.41, r(2) = 0.17, P < 0.001), whole grains (r = 0.35, r(2) = 0.12 P < 0.001), dairy (r = 0.34, r(2) = 0.12, P < 0.001), fish (r = 0.31, r(2) = 0.10, P < 0.001), and energy drink (r = 0.59, r(2) = 0.35, P< 0.001). Conclusions and Implications: HES-7 had the strongest correlation with HEI-2015. Future studies can explore if including consumption quantity in the HES improves its representation of diet quality.