title: Children's consumption of energy-dense nutrient-poor foods, fruit and vegetables: are they related? An analysis of data from a cross sectional survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Many children consume excessive amounts of energy-dense, nutrient-poor (EDNP) or 'extra' foods and low intakes of fruit and vegetables. The aim of this study was to examine the associations between EDNP foods and ascertain whether certain EDNP foods and beverages are more likely to be eaten in association with other EDNP foods.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional representative population survey of children in preschool (n=764), and of school students in Years K, 2 and 4 (n=1,560) and in Years 6, 8 and 10 (n=1,685) residing in the Hunter New England region of New South Wales, Australia. Dietary data were collected using a short food frequency questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression models examined the association between EDNP foods and fruit and vegetable intake. Data were stratified by sex and age cohort.
  
  
  RESULTS
  More frequent consumption of some EDNP food types was significantly associated with more frequent consumption of other EDNP foods. Fast food and soft drinks consumption were associated with each other as well as with fried potato and salty snacks; and with lower intakes of fruit and vegetables in some but not all age groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The positive associations found between EDNP foods point towards the existence of a high-risk group of children who frequently consume a variety of EDNP foods and drinks.
authors.affiliation: Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney, New South Wales. christine.innes@sydney.edu.au
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Innes-Hughes
authors.forename: Louise L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Hardy
authors.forename: Kamalesh
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Venugopal
authors.forename: Lesley A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: Luke
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wolfenden
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rangan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002253:Carbonated Beverages / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D057140:Fast Foods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009753:Nutritive Value; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014675:Vegetables