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Children's lung function and antioxidant vitamin, fruit, juice, and vegetable intake
Frank D Gilliland1, Kiros T Berhane, Yu-Fen Li
1Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA. gillian@usc.edu
American Journal of Epidemiology
|September 11, 2003
Summary
Children with low intake of antioxidant vitamins like C, E, and A show poorer lung function. This includes reduced forced vital capacity and airflow, particularly in girls for vitamin C and in boys with asthma for vitamin A.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Nutritional Science
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Pulmonary function in children is crucial for long-term respiratory health.
- Dietary factors, including fruits, vegetables, and antioxidant vitamins, may influence lung development and function.
- Previous research suggests a link between diet and respiratory health, but specific nutrient impacts require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between dietary intake of fruits, vegetables, juices, and antioxidant vitamins (A, C, E) and pulmonary function in children.
- To identify specific nutrient-pulmonary function relationships and potential sex-based differences.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional analysis of data from 2,566 children in the Children's Health Study (1997-1998).
- Assessment of pulmonary function parameters including forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volumes (FEV1, FEF25-75).
- Statistical analysis to determine associations between nutrient intake levels (specifically low intake at or below the 10th percentile) and lung function metrics.
Main Results:
- Low vitamin C intake was linked to reduced FVC in both sexes and greater deficits in FEV1 and FEF(25-75) in girls.
- Low vitamin E intake correlated with lower FEF(25-75) in boys.
- Low vitamin A intake was associated with reduced FEF(25-75) in girls and in boys with asthma.
- Reduced FVC and FEV1 were observed in boys with low intake of fruit juices, a primary source of vitamin C.
Conclusions:
- Inadequate dietary intake of antioxidant vitamins (A, C, E) is associated with diminished pulmonary function in children.
- Specific vitamins show differential impacts on lung function, with some effects being more pronounced in girls or in children with asthma.
- Promoting adequate intake of antioxidant-rich foods and juices may be important for supporting optimal lung development and function in pediatric populations.