The impact of dairy product consumption on nutrient adequacy and weight of Head Start mothers.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the relationship of dairy product consumption on diet quality and weight of low-income women.


METHODS
Head Start centres in Texas and Alabama, USA.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study. Women were divided into dairy consumption groups: < or =1, >1 to < or =2 and >2 servings/d. Nutrient intake/diet quality was determined by calculating the percentage meeting the Estimated Average Requirement, guidelines for fat and added sugar, and Mean Adequacy Ratio (MAR). Mean BMI was compared for the dairy consumption groups.


METHODS
Mothers with children in Head Start; 609 African-Americans (43 %), Hispanic-Americans (32 %) and European-Americans (24 %).


RESULTS
Fifteen per cent of participants consumed >2 servings of dairy products and 57 % consumed < or =1 serving of dairy daily. Intakes of protein, vitamin D, riboflavin, P, Ca, K, Mg and Zn were significantly higher in those consuming >2 servings/d. Total SFA were higher and added sugars were lower in those consuming >2 servings of dairy products daily compared with those consuming < or =2 servings/d. Forty-one per cent of women consuming >2 servings of dairy daily had MAR scores under 85 compared with 94 % consuming < or =1 serving/d. Mean BMI was 30.36 kg/m2; there was no association between BMI and dairy product consumption.


CONCLUSIONS
Consumption of dairy products was low and was not associated with BMI in this low-income population. Higher levels of dairy product consumption were associated with higher MAR scores and improved intakes of Ca, K and Mg, which have been identified as shortfall nutrients in the diets of adults.
O'Neil
Carol E
CE
Louisiana State University AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
Nicklas
Theresa A
TA
Liu
Yan
Y
Franklin
Frank A
FA
D000328:Adult; D000407:Alabama; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003611:Dairy Products / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004032:Diet / Q000592:standards*; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019422:Dietary Sucrose / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018479:Early Intervention, Educational; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009035:Mothers; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D044469:Racial Groups; D013781:Texas
D004041:Dietary Fats; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D019422:Dietary Sucrose; D005227:Fatty Acids; D018977:Micronutrients