Food group intake and central obesity among children and adolescents in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III)

Abstract

Objective: To explore mean food group intakes associated with central obesity anthropometry among children and adolescents enrolled in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III). Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Representative sampling of the US population (1998)(1999)(2000)(2001)(2002). Subjects: Subjects were 3761 children (5-11 years) and 1803 adolescents (12-16 years) with single 24 h dietary recalls and anthropometric measures of central body fat (waist circumference and sum of subscapular and suprailiac skinfold thicknesses). Results: Results were controlled for confounding by age, height, race/ethnicity, Tanner stage, television viewing and parental education. In younger children, there was no relationship between central adiposity and mean intakes of dairy, fruit, vegetables or grains, while a positive association with meat intake was found among boys. In adolescent boys and girls, central body fat measures were inversely associated with mean dairy and grain intakes. Adolescent boys in the highest quartile of central adiposity consumed less fruit and fewer vegetables; those in the lowest central adiposity quartile consumed less meat. Finally, adolescents who met the criteria for central obesity (waist circumference $85th percentile for age and sex) reported consuming significantly less total dairy (as well as milk and cheese separately), total grains (whole and refined) and total fruit and vegetables. There was no association with meat consumption. To test the stability of these findings, the final analysis was replicated in 2541 same-aged adolescents from NHANES 1999-2002; the results were very similar. Conclusions: These cross-sectional analyses suggest that intakes of dairy, grains and total fruits and vegetables are inversely associated with central obesity among adolescents.

Intake of milk, but not total dairy, yogurt, or cheese, is negatively associated with the clustering of cardiometabolic risk factors in adolescents

“…Previous cross-sectional [11] and [14] and prospective [15] and [16] studies show an inverse relationship between milk or dairy product intake and cardiometabolic risk factors, in children and adolescents. It seems that milk and/or dairy product intake reduces the risk of central obesity [11] and [14], high BP [15] and [16], and insulin resistance [14].…”

“…It seems that milk and/or dairy product intake reduces the risk of central obesity [11] and [14], high BP [15] and [16], and insulin resistance [14]. However, studies examining the association between dairy product intake and clustering of cardiometabolic risk factors are limited in the pediatric population.…”

“…However, previous studies have shown inverse associations between milk or dairy product intake and selected cardiometabolic risk factors [11], [14], [15] and [16]. In addition, questions remain as to whether different types of dairy products exert distinct effects against cardiometabolic risk.…”

“…It has been proposed that the intake of dairy products protects against cardiometabolic risk or several of its risk factors [1], [7] and [8]. Evidence, mostly in adults, has indicated that increased dairy intake may decrease the risk of high blood pressure (BP) [8] and [9], central obesity [10] and [11], and hyperinsulinemia [12]. It has been established that such dairy components as calcium, medium-chain fatty acids, and bioactive peptides may play an important role in the prevention of cardiometabolic risk and its complications via the exertion of mechanisms that include the satiety response and the regulation of insulinemia levels and BP [13].…”

Factors Influencing the Implementation of Organized Physical Activity and Fruit and Vegetable Snacks in the HOP'N After-School Obesity Prevention Program

“…2 There is some evidence that increased consumption of fruits and vegetables (FV) decreases consumption of energy dense foods, total energy intake and adiposity. [3][4][5] After-school time represents a key period in a child's weekday to deliver interventions to increase PA and FV intake. Compared to going home after school and being unsupervised, after-school programs provide adult supervision to decrease children's opportunities for obesity-related behaviors, such as screen time and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and increase opportunities for healthful options.…”