Perspectives on intake of calcium-rich foods among Asian, Hispanic, and white preadolescent and adolescent females.
OBJECTIVE
Declining calcium intake among adolescents warrants attention. Our objective was to identify influences on adolescents' consumption of calcium-rich foods.


METHODS
Focus groups were conducted with girls representing 2 age groups (11 to 12 or 16 to 17 years) and 3 macroethnic groups (Asian, Hispanic, or white).


METHODS
Public schools in 10 states.


METHODS
A convenience sample (n = 200) was recruited through schools.


METHODS
Focus groups (n = 35) were audiotaped and transcribed. Influences relative to consumption of milk or other calcium-rich foods were identified.


METHODS
Comments were coded as motivators or barriers within each focus group. Content analysis procedures were used to compare ethnic and age groups.


RESULTS
A barrier to milk consumption that was more common among older girls and Asian groups was the limited expectation within families for drinking milk. Many controlled their own beverage choices, and milk, even if liked, was only one option. Milk was positively associated with strength and bone health, but these attributes were viewed as being more important for boys than girls. Milk was associated with breakfast, school lunches, cereal, and desserts. White girls had the most positive reactions to milk and Hispanic girls the most negative. All groups were positive toward pizza, ice cream, and cheese.


CONCLUSIONS
To improve calcium intake among teens, interventions should include a family component, stress the benefits of milk for girls, and focus on breakfast.
Auld
Garry
G
Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA. auld@cahs.colostate.edu
Boushey
Carol J
CJ
Bock
Margaret Ann
MA
Bruhn
Christine
C
Gabel
Kathe
K
Gustafson
Deborah
D
Holmes
Betty
B
Misner
Scottie
S
Novotny
Rachel
R
Peck
Louise
L
Pelican
Suzanne
S
Pond-Smith
Dorothy
D
Read
Marsha
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D006801:Humans; D007787:Lactose Intolerance / Q000208:ethnology; D008892:Milk; D013649:Taste / Q000502:physiology
D002136:Calcium, Dietary