Trends and Patterns of Chickpea Consumption among United States Adults: Analyses of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Data

Background: Chickpeas are an affordable and nutrient-dense legume, but there is limited United States data on consumption patterns and the relationship between chickpea consumption and dietary intakes.Objectives: This study examined trends and sociodemographic patterns among chickpea consumers and the relationship between chickpea consumption and dietary intake.Methods: Adults consuming chickpeas or chickpea-containing foods on 1 or both of the 24-h dietary recalls were categorized as chickpea consumers. Data from NHANES 2003-2018 were used to evaluate trends and sociodemographic patterns in chickpea consumption (n = 35,029). The association between chickpea consumption and dietary intakes was compared to other legume consumers and nonlegume consumers from 2015-2018 (n = 8,342).Results: The proportion of chickpea consumers increased from 1.9% in 2003-2006 to 4.5% in 2015-2018 (P value for trend < 0.001). This trend was consistent across age group, sex, race/ethnicity, education, and income. In 2015-2018, chickpea consumption was highest among individuals with higher incomes (2.4% among those with incomes <185% of the federal poverty guideline compared with 6.4% with in-comes >= 300%), education levels (1.0% for less than high school compared with 10.2% for college graduates), physical activity levels (1.9% for no physical activity compared with 7.7% for >= 430 min of moderate-equivalent physical activity per week), and those with better self -reported health (1.7% fair/poor compared with 6.5% for excellent/very good, P-trend < 0.001 for each). Chickpea consumers had greater intakes of whole grains (1.48 oz/d for chickpea consumers compared with 0.91 for nonlegume consumers) and nuts/seeds (1.47 compared with 0.72 oz/d), less intake of red meat (0.96 compared with 1.55 oz/d), and higher Healthy Eating Index scores (62.1 compared with 51.2) compared with both nonlegume and other legume consumers (P value < 0.05 for each).Conclusions: Chickpea consumption among United States adults has doubled between 2003 and 2018, yet intake remains low. Chickpea consumers have higher socioeconomic status and better health status, and their overall diets are more consistent with a healthy dietary pattern.