[Dietary Fiber and Pubertal Development among Children and Adolescents--a Cross-sectional Study in Chengdu, Sichuan].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the association between intake of dietary fiber and pubertal development among children and adolescents in Chengdu.


METHODS
A cross-sectional survey was undertaken in 1 340 children and adolescents aged 9-15 years. Data about dietary intake were collected through 24-h dietary self-recall. Pubertal development was measured by trained investigators using Tanner criteria. Consumptions of total fiber and fiber from different sources were compared among the participants with different stages of pubertal development.


RESULTS
Data from 1 328 children and adolescents were analyzed. Boys (n = 667) at a later stage of pubertal development consumed less total fiber and fruit fiber than those at an earlier stage (P < 0.05). Similarly, girls (n = 651) at a later stage of pubertal development consumed less fruit fiber than those at an earlier stage (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Dietary fiber intake, especially fruit fiber, is lower in children and adolescents with early commencement of puberty development. Further studies are needed to establish the relationship between dietary fiber and pubertal development.
Guo
G
Tian
Yan
Y
Liu
Hong-mei
HM
Xue
Jiao
J
Luo
Yan-rong
YR
Chen
Yu-xin
YX
Bao
Ruo-nan
RN
Duan
Ming-zhe
MZ
Yang
Guo
G
Cheng
D000293:Adolescent; D041923:Adolescent Development; D002648:Child; D002681:China; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011627:Puberty