Fat preferences, dietary fat intake and body composition in children

To examine the relationship between fat preference, dietary intake data and body composition in children.

Subjects studied were 88 children aged 9-12 y from two elementary schools in Ohio. Measures for dietary intake and body composition were obtained by 3 day diet records, anthropometrics, triceps and subscapular skinfolds. Fat preference data was assessed by hedonic rating of high and low fat snack foods.

Data indicate that children who preferred the high fat snack items had high dietary fat intakes (r = 0.57, P < 0.05). Tricep skinfold measurement and BMI correlated positively with high fat food preferences (r = 0.51 and r = 0.46 P < 0.05).

These data suggest preference for high fat foods may occur due to diet composition and that increased adiposity may be associated with higher relative fat intakes.