Changing eating and physical activity patterns of US children

Abstract

The number of US children who are overweight has more than doubled over the last decade. This change has broadened the focus of dietary guidance for children to address nutrient overconsumption and physical activity patterns. Total fat consumption expressed as a percentage of energy intake has decreased among US children. However, this decrease is largely the result of increased total energy intake in the form of carbohydrates and not necessarily due to decreased fat consumption. The majority of children aged 5-17 years are not meeting recommendations for Ca intakes. Much of this deficit is attributed to changing beverage consumption patterns, characterized by declining milk intakes and substantial increases in soft-drink consumption. On average, US children are not eating the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables. US adolescents become less active as they get older, and one-quarter of all US children watch ≥ 4 h television each day, which is positively associated with increased BMI and skinfold thickness. There is an urgent need in the USA for effective prevention strategies aimed at helping children grow up with healthful eating and physical activity habits to achieve optimal health.

Spanish children's diet: compliance with nutrient and food intake guidelines

“…Earlier studies (Albertson et al, 1992;Serra et al, 1996) have already highlighted the risk of deficiencies in the intake of both vitamins in certain child population subgroups. Contrary to the findings reported for children in the USA (Johnson, 2000), however, no risk of inadequate calcium intake was in evidence.…”

“…Despite the fact that Spanish children's fat consumption pattern is very similar to that of the Mediterranean profile, this circumstance is not positively recognized in the HEI-f. In addition, although the percentage of US children complying with the guidelines in respect of fat consumption has risen in relative terms (% of total caloric intake) in the last 8 y, fat consumption in absolute terms (g/day) has increased over the same period of time (Johnson, 2000).…”

Saturated fat in the diet of Spanish children: relationship with anthropometric, alimentary, nutritional and lipid profiles

“…Epidemiological evidence about the relationship between fat intake and obesity is highly inconsistent 37 . Therefore, it is surprising that the decrease in the percentage of energy from fat found in children in the USA between 1987 and 1995 was accompanied by a fat intake that remained the same or increased slightly and by increases in total energy intake and the prevalence of obesity 38 . These results seem to indicate that the important factors are the absence of regular physical activity combined with excessive energy intake, whether or not this energy comes from fat or carbohydrates 37 .…”

Walkable scores for selected three east Texas counties: physical activity and policy implications

“…Despite the many health benefits of engaging in physical activity, many young people are not engaging in recommended levels of physical activity due to limited opportunities both within schools and outside in the communities (Ferreira et al, 2006;Johnson, 2000;WHO, 2000a, b).…”

“…This prevalence rate rose to 35.5% by -2010. Among women, 33.4% were obese in 1999-2000-2010, it had increased slightly to 35.8%. It is apparent that in 1999-2000, the prevalence of obesity was higher in women than in men.…”