Lack of relationship between calcium intake and body size in an obesity-prone population.
OBJECTIVE
Dietary calcium intake, especially from dairy products, may have a protective effect against obesity. This study aimed to determine if calcium intake is associated with body weight and adiposity in Pima Indians, an obesity-prone population.


METHODS
Subjects were 65 Pima Indian adults (35 men/30 women, age 33+/-8 years [mean+/-standard deviation]) participating in a study of eating behavior and 78 Pima Indian children (36 boys/42 girls, age 10.4+/-0.3 years) participating in a study of childhood obesity. Height and weight were measured, and body composition was determined by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Food intake in adults was assessed using the Block 1998 Food Questionnaire; food intake in children was assessed using a 24-hour recall with parental assistance.


RESULTS
In adults, mean energy intake was 3,163+/-1,037 kcal/day, mean percentage of energy from fat was 41%+/-7%, and calcium intake was 914+/-333 mg/day. In children, mean energy intake was 1,988+/-733 kcal/day, mean percentage of energy from fat was 36%+/-9%, and calcium intake was 637+/-352 mg/day, half the recommended daily intake for this age group. There were no significant associations between calcium intake and body weight (r=0.05, P=.71; r=0.04, P=.73), body fat (r=0.16, P=.19; r=0.12, P=.42), or body mass index (r=0.01, P=.97; r=0.04, P=.77) in either adults or children, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
One explanation for the lack of association between reported calcium intake and body size in Pima Indians may be that the high-fat, high-energy diet consumed by the population overwhelmed the "anti-obesigenic" effect of calcium.


CONCLUSIONS
We were unable to find an association between calcium intake and body size or adiposity in Pima Indian adults and children. Although the essentiality of calcium to bone health is well established, the role of calcium and dairy product intake in obesity and weight management remains uncertain.
Venti
Colleen A
CA
Obesity and Diabetes Clinical Research Section, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Phoenix, AZ 85016, USA.
Tataranni
P Antonio
PA
Salbe
Arline D
AD
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon / Q000379:methods; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000235:genetics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D009765:Obesity / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States
D002136:Calcium, Dietary