Dietary trends of 10- and 13-year-old children in a biracial community--the Bogalusa Heart Study

Abstract

Dietary intakes of two cross-sectional cohorts of 10-year-old children were collected in 1973 and 1976 to examine dietary trends over time. A longitudinal sample of the initial 1973 cohort examined at both 10 and 13 years of age identified changes in patterns and aging effect on intake. Significantly higher energy, total protein, and polyunsaturated fatty acids were noted for both 10- and 13-year-olds in 1976 compared with the 1973 sample. Saturated fat intake per 1,000/kcal was significantly lower but polyunsaturated fat was significantly higher per 1,000/kcal for the second 10-year-old group. Boys consumed more energy, protein, saturated fat, cholesterol, and iron than did girls. A sex X age interaction was noted for energy, sucrose, starch, and potassium, with boys ingesting more at 13 than at 10 years. A race X age interaction occurred for sodium, with black children having higher levels than white children at 10 but not at 13 years. Statistically significant correlations were noted between intake at 10 and 13 years of age for protein, cholesterol, and potassium for boys. Eighty-five percent of all children exceeded the protein Recommended Dietary Allowance. Over half the children exceeded the maximum recommended sodium range; potassium intakes were low. Excessive intakes of saturated fat, sucrose, animal protein, and sodium with low potassium and vegetable protein intakes create a potential health risk, influencing cardiovascular risk.