Relation of dietary glycemic index, glycemic load, added sugar intake, or fiber intake to the development of body composition between ages 2 and 7 y.
BACKGROUND
Observational studies in adults suggest that a diet with a high glycemic index (GI) or glycemic load (GL), a high intake of sugary foods, or a low fiber intake may increase the risk of overweight.


OBJECTIVE
We aimed to examine prospectively whether dietary GI, GL, added sugar intake, or fiber intake between age 2 and 7 y are associated with the development of body composition. If so, we aimed to ascertain whether these associations are modified by meal frequency.


METHODS
Linear mixed-effect regression analyses were performed in 380 participants of the DOrtmund Nutrition and Anthropometric Longitudinally Designed (DONALD) Study for whom 4-6 weighed 3-d dietary records and anthropometric data were obtained between ages 2 and 7 y.


RESULTS
Changes in dietary GI, GL, or added sugar intake between ages 2 and 7 y were not associated with concurrent changes in percentage body fat (%BF, as estimated from skinfold thicknesses) or body mass index SD scores. An increase in fiber intake was related to a concurrent decrease in %BF between ages 2 and 7 y only in children who consumed <6 meals/d as toddlers (beta +/- SE from fully adjusted model: -0.26 +/- 0.09%BF per 1-SD increase in fiber intake, P = 0.005), whereas children with a higher meal frequency had no concurrent change (0.07 +/- 0.07%BF per 1-SD increase in fiber intake, P = 0.3).


CONCLUSIONS
Dietary GI, GL, or added sugar intake between ages 2 and 7 y does not appear to influence the development of body composition. Potential benefits associated with increasing fiber intake throughout childhood may be limited to toddlers with a lower meal frequency.
Buyken
Anette E
AE
Research Institute of Child Nutrition, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Dortmund, Germany. buyken@fke-do.de
Cheng
Guo
G
Günther
Anke Lb
AL
Liese
Angela D
AD
Remer
Thomas
T
Karaolis-Danckert
Nadina
N
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D002241:Carbohydrates; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000494:pharmacology*; D038321:Glycemic Index / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009752:Nutritional Status
D002241:Carbohydrates; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004043:Dietary Fiber