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Food group consumption patterns in a sample of predominantly low‐income children
Author(s) -
Kranz Sibylle,
Mitchell Diane,
Kumanyika Shiriki K.,
Stettler Nicolas
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.1_supplement.316.1
Subject(s) - overweight , anthropometry , medicine , food group , environmental health , obesity , demography , gerontology , sociology
This study analyzed dietary and anthropometric data of 2–11 years olds at five community health centers (CHC) from medically underserved areas of in the U.S. Northeast. Children provided two (n = 24) or three days (n = 190) of 24‐hour recalls. Half of the children were males; half were 2–5 years old; 70% were low‐income; and 64% were at risk for overweight or overweight. Intake reports were disaggregated and average daily intake of total energy (kcal) and MyPyramid food groups (fruit, vegetable, grain, dairy, and meat/meat alternatives in cups or ounces) calculated. Approximately 9% of the sample met all food group recommendations while 6% met none. Half of the sample met the intake recommendation for grains. More preschoolers than 6–11 year olds met the remaining food groups (36% vs. 23% for vegetables, 64% vs. 45% for fruits, 72% vs. 55% for meat, and 55% vs. 49% for dairy). Sixty‐three percent of the children had energy intakes >110% the age‐and gender‐specific Estimated Energy Requirements. In this sample, 73% of the children meeting at least four out of the five recommendations had healthy body weight. Thus, younger children were more likely to meet the intake recommendations and meeting food group recommendations was associated with healthy body weight. This study was supported by a seed grant from the Children, Youth, and Family Consortium at the Pennsylvania State University.