Longitudinal calcium intake is negatively related to children's body fat indexes.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if dietary calcium was negatively related to children's body fat (BF), if BF indexes and calcium intakes changed over time, and to identify variables related to BF and calcium intake.


METHODS
Percent BF and kg BF were assessed by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) in 8-year-old children. In a prospective design, height, weight, dietary intakes, and related variables were monitored longitudinally from ages 2 months to 8 years during in-home interviews.


METHODS
Fifty-two white children, (n=25 boys, 27 girls) participated in a longitudinal study with their mothers. At 8 years of age, mean BMI was 17.3+/-2.1 (standard deviation) for boys and 17.1+/-2.5 for girls.


METHODS
Regression analysis of all variables, followed by further regression analysis on selected models.


RESULTS
At 8 years, percent BF was 22.7+/-6.7 for boys and 26.2+/-7.9 for girls, as assessed by DEXA. Dietary calcium (mg) and polyunsaturated fat intake (g) were negatively related to percent BF (P=.02 to.04) in 3 statistical models, which predicted 28% to 34% of the variability in BF among children. Variables positively associated with percent BF were total dietary fat (g) or saturated fat (g), female gender, sedentary activity (hours/day), father's BMI, and mothers' percent BF. Calcium intakes were significantly correlated over time. Dietary variety was positively related to calcium intake, and intakes of carbonated beverages and other sweetened beverages were negatively related.


CONCLUSIONS
Children should be strongly encouraged to regularly include calcium-rich foods and beverages in their diets.
Skinner
Jean D
JD
Nutrition Department, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 37996-1920, USA. skinner@utk.edu
Bounds
Wendy
W
Carruth
Betty Ruth
BR
Ziegler
Paula
P
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D001823:Body Composition; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002253:Carbonated Beverages / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003611:Dairy Products; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D009765:Obesity / Q000209:etiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012737:Sex Factors
D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D004041:Dietary Fats