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Calcium intake in youth: sex, age, and racial differences in NHANES II
1Department of Psychology, Memphis State University, Tennesse 38152.
Insights
Calcium intake in children varies significantly by age, sex, and race, with males and older children generally meeting recommendations. Socioeconomic status did not impact calcium intake levels.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Pediatric Health
- Public Health
Background:
- Adequate calcium intake is crucial for bone health during childhood and adolescence.
- Dietary calcium intake patterns in children can be influenced by various demographic factors.
- Understanding these influences is key to addressing potential deficiencies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess if children's calcium intake meets the recommended daily allowance (RDA).
- To investigate the influence of age, race, sex, and socioeconomic status on calcium intake and density.
- To identify demographic predictors of calcium consumption in children.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES II).
- Analyzed calcium intake and calcium density (mg/kcal) across different age groups (3-18 years).
- Employed multiple regression models to examine the impact of demographic variables.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in calcium intake were observed based on age, sex, and race (P < 0.05).
- Males consistently met or exceeded the RDA, while intake varied by race and sex, particularly in adolescents.
- Socioeconomic status was not a significant predictor of calcium intake or density.
Conclusions:
- Age, sex, and race are significant predictors of calcium intake and density in children.
- Parental income did not significantly explain variations in calcium intake or density.
- Targeted nutritional interventions may be necessary for specific demographic groups to ensure adequate calcium consumption.
Methods:
Data from the NHANES II survey were used to determine whether the calcium intake of children ages 3-18 met the minimum recommended daily allowance. In addition, the impact of age, race, sex, and socioeconomic status on calcium intake and the density of calcium intake was explored.
Results:
The results indicated significant differences between groups of children based on age, sex, and race (P less than 0.05). Males across all age groups (3-5, 6-7, 8-10, 11-12, 13-18) had a higher calcium intake than females. In addition, calcium intake levels among males always met or exceeded the minimum RDA. Levels among all blacks started below the minimum RDA in the age group 3-5. During the adolescent years, calcium intake again fell below the RDA for black males and for females of both races, with the calcium intake of the adolescent females resembling that of the group ages 3-5. In a multiple regression model sex, age, race, and total energy intake predicted 49% (P less than 0.0001) of the variance in calcium intake. Socioeconomic status (using parents' reported income) was not a significant predictor. Another regression model was used to examine the relationship among age, race, sex, and socioeconomic status and its effect on the density of calcium intake (mg/kcal). While the overall model was significant (P less than 0.0001) it accounted for only 3.5% of the variance.
Conclusion:
Age, sex, and race of the child significantly predicted the density of calcium (P less than 0.05); however, parents' gross income did not (P less than 0.81), indicating that income level does not contribute to explaining these differences.