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Trends in dietary intake among US 2- to 6-year-old children, 1989-2008

Christopher N Ford1, Meghan M Slining, Barry M Popkin

  • 1Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27516, USA.

Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
|December 25, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Childhood obesity rose as children aged 2-6 consumed more savory snacks, pizza, sweets, and fruit juice. Total daily calorie intake increased significantly between 1989 and 2008.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Public Health
  • Dietary Habits

Background:

  • Childhood obesity rates significantly increased across all age groups between 1989 and 2008.
  • Dietary patterns in young children may be a contributing factor to the rise in obesity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine changes in the dietary intake of U.S. children aged 2 to 6 years from 1989 to 2008.
  • To identify specific food consumption trends that may correlate with increased childhood obesity during this period.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of dietary data from 10,647 children aged 2-6 years across five national surveys (1989-2008).
  • Dietary intake data categorized using the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill approach.
  • Statistical comparison of mean intakes across survey years using weighted 24-hour dietary recalls (P<0.05 significance).

Main Results:

  • Per capita intake increased for savory snacks (+51 kcal), pizza/calzones (+32 kcal), sweet snacks/candy (+25 kcal), mixed Mexican dishes (+22 kcal), and fruit juice (+18 kcal).
  • Total daily energy intake rose by 109 kcal (1,475 to 1,584 kcal; P<0.05).
  • Significant dietary shifts occurred between 1994-1998 and 2003-2004 surveys.

Conclusions:

  • Consumption of foods high in added sugars and solid fats, including savory snacks, pizza, and fruit juice, increased significantly.
  • These dietary changes likely contributed to the observed rise in childhood obesity from 1989 to 2008.
Abstract

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