Children's dairy intake in the United States: too little, too fat?
OBJECTIVE
To compare reported dairy/calcium intake with intake recommendations and examination of food sources and fat levels of dairy intake in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2002.


METHODS
Dietary, anthropometric, and sociodemographic data for 2- to 18-year-olds (n = 7716) were evaluated to compare intakes of dairy (MyPyramid) and calcium (Adequate Intake [AI]) recommendations. US Department of Agriculture food codes were used to identify mutually exclusive food groups of dairy-contributing foods, which were ranked in descending order proportional to total intake. Complex sample survey Student t tests were used to determine statistical significance among intakes in 4 age groups and between reported and recommended intakes.


RESULTS
Dairy consumption was not significantly different among age groups, but only 2- to 3-year-olds met the MyPyramid recommendation. Calcium intake was significantly different among age groups, and 2- to 8-year-olds met the AI. Intake of flavored milk ranged from 9% to 18%. More than half of the milk consumed by 2- to 3-year-olds was whole milk, and, with the exception of yogurt consumption in 2- to 3-year-olds, children choose to consume more of the highest-fat varieties of cheese, yogurt, ice cream, and dairy-based toppings.


CONCLUSIONS
Dairy and calcium intakes are inadequate in 4- to 18-year-olds. Most children consume the high-fat varieties of milk and dairy products. Focusing nutrition guidance efforts on increasing the intake of the low-fat dairy products, with special emphasis on increasing calcium intake in school-age children and adolescents through flavored low-fat milk products, may be beneficial.
Department of Nutritional Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA. sxk72@psu.edu
Sibylle
S
Kranz
Po-Ju
PJ
Lin
David A
DA
Wagstaff
D000293:Adolescent; D001835:Body Weight; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003611:Dairy Products / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D009753:Nutritive Value; D014481:United States
D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D004041:Dietary Fats