Dietary variety increases as a function of time and influences diet quality in children.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the changes in dietary variety over time in children and to determine the relationship between dietary variety and diet quality.


METHODS
Dietary data were collected from fourth and fifth grade students for 14 consecutive days by a registered dietitian.


METHODS
Colerain School District of Cincinnati, Ohio.


METHODS
There were 33 children involved in the study.


METHODS
Two cumulative dietary variety scores were estimated. The first was based on the Food Guide Pyramid groups: grain, fruit, vegetable, dairy, and meat (GFVDM). The second was based on the groups highlighted by the 2000 Dietary Guidelines for variety: grain, fruit, and vegetable (GFV). Diets were analyzed for energy and nutrient content.


METHODS
Analysis of variance and Pearson correlation coefficients.


RESULTS
Dietary variety increased over time up to 14 days. A significant difference (P <.0001) was found for the cumulative GFVDM and GFV variety scores on days 3, 7, and 14. Positive correlations were found between the GFVDM and GFV variety scores and vitamin C and fiber.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that a 2-week period is necessary to capture food variety in children. Some associations were found between dietary variety and diet quality. New tools are needed to measure dietary variety in children.
Falciglia
Grace A
GA
Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267-0394, USA. grace.falciglia@uc.edu
Troyer
Ann G
AG
Couch
Sarah C
SC
D002648:Child; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D004032:Diet / Q000592:standards*; D015930:Diet Records; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009753:Nutritive Value; D009820:Ohio; D013995:Time