GIRLS’ EARLY BEVERAGE PATTERNS: LONG-TERM IMPACT ON DIETARY INTAKE AND ADIPOSITY
Open Access
- Author:
- Fiorito, Laura Maria
- Graduate Program:
- Nutrition
- Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Document Type:
- Dissertation
- Date of Defense:
- November 03, 2008
- Committee Members:
- Leann L Birch, Dissertation Advisor/Co-Advisor
Leann L Birch, Committee Chair/Co-Chair
Cynthia J Bartok, Committee Member
Jennifer O Fisher, Committee Member
Lori Anne Francis, Committee Member
Eric Loken, Committee Member
Helen Smiciklas Wright, Committee Chair/Co-Chair - Keywords:
- beverage intake
dietary intake
adiposity
childhood - Abstract:
- Data on the persistence of early beverage patterns throughout childhood and adolescence are limited. Furthermore, little is known about whether these patterns influence dietary intake and measures of adiposity in childhood and adolescents are limited. The purpose of the present research is to describe changes in girls’ beverage intake and to assess whether early beverage intake patterns persisted and predicted dietary intake and measures of adiposity from 5 to 15 years. Participants were part of a longitudinal study of non-Hispanic white girls, predominantly middle class, (n=170) living in central Pennsylvania, assessed biennially from 5 to 15 y. At each assessment, intake of beverage (milk, 100% fruit juice, and sweetened beverages: fruit drinks, sodas, and tea/coffee), and dietary intake were assessed using three, 24-hour recalls. Percent body fat and waist circumference were measured. Height and weight were measured and used to calculate body mass index. A series of mixed modeling analyses were used to describe changes in beverage intake and the impact of early beverage intake on girls’ dietary intake and measures of adiposity over time. Results revealed that although total beverage intake servings did not change from 5 to 15 y, major shifts occurred in the contribution of servings of various types of beverages. Milk and fruit juice declined, while soda and tea/coffee increased and fruit drinks remained unchanged. Early difference in soda intake predicted later soda intake and differences in beverage related food groups and nutrients. In addition, higher intake of sweetened beverage at 5 y, but not milk or fruit juice, was associated with greater adiposity and weight status in childhood and adolescence. This association was independent of energy intake at study entry and concurrent age sweetened beverage intake. In sum, these results suggest that prevention efforts should include a focus on promoting healthy beverage patterns to reduce children’s risk of lower diet quality and higher adiposity. Such prevention efforts need to begin during early childhood, and should focus on reducing availability of sweetened beverages, and substituting healthy alternatives, such as milk, water, and limit fruit juice, within recommended levels by the American Academy of Pediatrics.