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Differential dietary intake patterns among 2–6 year olds in the US across race/ethnicity, parental education, and poverty levels
Author(s) -
Butler Jennie Lauren,
Miles Donna R,
Slining Meghan M,
Popkin Barry M
Publication year - 2012
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.26.1_supplement.816.2
Subject(s) - ethnic group , socioeconomic status , poverty , obesity , demography , race (biology) , medicine , national health and nutrition examination survey , environmental health , biology , population , sociology , anthropology , economics , economic growth , botany
Preschoolers are one of the least studied US subpopulations, especially regarding differential dietary intake patterns. Our objective was to investigate food and beverage consumption by race/ethnicity, parental education, and household poverty levels (PL) in a nationally representative sample of 2–6 year olds (N= 2,216). One day of 24‐hr dietary recall data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003–08 was combined and examined. Mean daily energy intake (1658 kcal/day) did not vary significantly by race/ethnicity or parental education, but was greater among lower income children (households ≤ 185% PL) as compared to higher income children (households >185% PL;1743 kcal vs. 1579 kcal, respectively). The top five contributors to mean kcal/day among all children were Milk, Grain‐based desserts, Savory snacks, Sugar sweetened beverages (SSB), and Fruit juice; however, intakes of Pasta dishes, Processed meats, and Corn‐based dishes differed by race/ethnicity. Lower income children consumed double the Pizza and SSB as compared to children in higher income households. Race/ethnicity and socioeconomic differentials in young child diet are pronounced and require serious attention in childhood obesity prevention and management strategies.