Abstract
BackgroundOne might assume that individuals living in the same household have similar dietary intakes of food groups and nutrients. However, the manner in which an adult's dietary intake affects children's food consumption, diet quality (defined as meeting intake recommendations), and meal sizes is understudied to date. The objective of this study was to estimate these relationships between minor children and the female or male head of household.MethodsDietary intakes of one randomly selected child of each age group (2-5, 6-11, or 12-18 years old (n = 2,380)) and that of the female/male head of household ((HH), proxy for mother and father) using multiple 24-hour recalls from the Continuing Survey of Food Intake by Individuals (CSFII) 1994-1996 was coded to reflect food group and nutrient density (servings/grams per 1,000 kcal). Linear or logistic regression models were used to determine the association between intakes, whether individuals' diets trended toward meeting her/his intake recommendations, and whether individuals were in the highest quintile for food group densities at four distinct eating occasions (breakfast, brunch/lunch, supper/dinner, or other) in each subject group. Stata's survey commands were used to fit linear or logistic regression models and obtain adjusted regression coefficients or odds ratios.ResultsAssociations between food group/nutrient densities were significant but weak to moderate. Adults with diets that trended toward meeting their intake recommendations doubled the odds for children to have diets that trended toward meeting the recommendations; for many meals, adults consuming in the highest quintile for food group density predicted that children's intakes were also in the highest quintile.ConclusionsFemale and male adults living in the same household significantly affect children's food group and nutrient intakes, diet quality, and meal sizes. There is an urgent need for in-depth analysis to elucidate the underlying mechanisms, especially for studies involving both the female and male HH.
Highlights
One might assume that individuals living in the same household have similar dietary intakes of food groups and nutrients
This study addressed three research questions: a) Are food group and nutrient intakes in adults and children living in the same household associated?, b) Are children more likely to consume diets that trend toward meeting their age-and-gender specific intake recommendations for food groups and nutrients if the female or male HH consumes a diet that trends toward meeting her/his intake recommendations?, and c) Are children’s odds to be a “big eater” higher when the female/male head of household has been identified as a “big eater” at the same eating occasion?
The Continuing Survey of Food Intake by Individuals (CSFII) data are 15 years old, if one assumes that the basic relationships between adults and children in the same household have not changed during that time, the associations found in this study are still applicable today
Summary
One might assume that individuals living in the same household have similar dietary intakes of food groups and nutrients. The manner in which an adult’s dietary intake affects children’s food consumption, diet quality (defined as meeting intake recommendations), and meal sizes is understudied to date. A diet that meets recommendations for both food groups [1] and nutrients [2,3,4], that is associated with preventing disease and promoting optimal health, is considered a high-quality diet [5]. The generalization of results of studies on parent-child eating relationships is difficult due to small sample sizes, the studies being conducted in specific ethnic groups, and the investigations of a narrow range of nutrients [20]
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