Dietary fibre intake in childhood or adolescence and subsequent health outcomes: A systematic review of prospective observational studies

Abstract

Aim: To determine whether higher fibre intakes during childhood or adolescence effect a broad range of intermediate markers of cardiometabolic risk or other health related issues. Materials and Methods: We used online searches up to January 2020 and manual searches to identify prospective observational studies reporting on childhood or adolescent intakes of dietary fibre, vegetables, fruit and refined or whole grains. Outcomes measured later in life were body weight, blood lipids, blood pressure, glycaemia, bone health, cognition, growth and bowel habits. Potential age-specific ranges for dietary fibre were extrapolated from published adult data. Results: We identified 45 publications reporting on 44 354 participants from 30 cohort studies. Mean age at dietary assessment varied from 1 to 19.3 years. Follow-up duration varied from 4 months to 27 years. Although well-conducted studies reported improvements in body weight, blood lipids and glycaemia, the diverse nature of studies precluded meta analysis. The quality of evidence was very low to low given the limited data available per outcome and the inability to synthesize results from multiple studies. Potential dietary fibre intake begins at 13-16 g a day for 2-year-olds and increases until the age of 10 years, when values are comparable with an adult range of 25-30 g a day. Conclusions: Given the inconsistency in findings from cohort studies other than an absence of detrimental effects, it seems appropriate that recommendations regarding childhood fibre intake are extrapolated from relevant adult data.

Association of dietary macronutrient intake with adiposity during childhood according to sex: Findings from the generationXXIbirth cohort

“…35 Hence, prospective observational studies are still inconsistent regarding the beneficial role of a fibre-rich diet on adiposity/body weight development during childhood. 11 In our sample, the mean fibre intake at all ages was approximately 17 g/day, which was on average, slightly higher than the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) adequate intake (AI) for dietary fibre (EFSA AI: 4-6 years = 14 g/day; 7-10 = 16 g/day). 36 One could suggest that we could be measuring a healthier dietary pattern rather than fibre consumption per se; however, our methodological approach showed the independent effect of fibre on each measure of adiposity.…”

Going with the grain: Fiber, cognition, and the microbiota-gut-brain-axis

“…Additionally, while these studies hint at the important role adequate fiber intake plays in healthy development during childhood, a recent systematic review concluded that low to very low evidence for the relationship between childhood fiber intake and subsequent health outcomes, including cognitive function, is available. 80 A few studies have also investigated the impact of dietary fiber intake in other age groups. In an Australian middle-aged cohort, habitual consumption of higher fiber or multigrain products was associated with better cognitive performance.…”

“…Additionally, while these studies hint at the important role adequate fiber intake plays in healthy development during childhood, a recent systematic review concluded that low to very low evidence for the relationship between childhood fiber intake and subsequent health outcomes, including cognitive function, is available. 80…”

Nutritional Strategies for Childhood Obesity Prevention

“…The healthy effects of fibers were recently analyzed by Reynholds et al, which evaluates 45 observational studies in children aged 1 to 19 years, identifying benefits on body weight, blood lipids, blood pressure, blood glucose associated with an increased intake of fiber with the diet and high-fiber foods, in the absence of adverse events [76]. Positive effects of fiber supplementation on reducing appetite and triglycerides absorption are also demonstrated after a single intake, in the postprandial phase in the obese children [77].…”

“…The intake of fruit, vegetables, and foods rich in fiber has positive effects on various health parameters (satiety, body weight regulation, glycemic control, blood lipids, intestinal microbiota modulation, etc.) [76,81,86]. Therefore, as Pereira-da-Silva concludes in his systematic review on the diet of preschool children, the interventions that determine an improvement in the intake rates of these foods should be implemented and "daily consumption of whole fresh fruit and vegetables should be promoted" [81].…”