Calcium intake in relation to diet and health indicators in Cretan primary and high school pupils, Greece.

Abstract

In recent years, the issue of dietary calcium (Ca) requirements is said to have caused more controversy than requirements for any other nutrient. There is little published data on dietary Ca intake levels in Greek children and relationships with other health indicators. Pupils at twenty primary and ten high schools in Crete, Greece, were examined as part of a wider study of the dietary habits and health status of children and adolescents. A total of 1054 children participated: 583 9- to 12-year-olds and 471 14- to 16-year-olds. "High" and "low" Ca intake in each age group was defined using upper and lower Ca intake quartiles for each sex. Multiple regression techniques were used to examine associations after adjustment for energy intake. No statistical association was observed between calcium intake and serum lipoproteins, anthropometric measurements, or physical activity status. Energy-adjusted Ca intakes were positively associated with intakes of protein, saturated fatty acid (SFA), magnesium, phosphorus, vitamin A, and vitamin B2, whereas higher Ca intakes were associated with lower monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) and omega-6 fatty acid intakes. In both age groups, pupils with high Ca intake had higher intakes of the food groups "milk and milk products" and "grains and grain products" than those with low Ca intake, although even "high" Ca intake in older female Cretan pupils (with a 75th percentile cut-off of 999 mg/day) may not be at adequate levels.