Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of dietary calcium intake with anthropometric measures, physical activity and adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) in 1176 Spanish children aged 6–9 years. Data were obtained from “Antropometría y Nutrición Infantil de Valencia” (ANIVA), a cross-sectional study of a representative sample. Dietary calcium intake assessed from three-day food records was compared to recommended daily intakes in Spain. Anthropometric measures (weight and height) were measured according to international standards and adherence to the MedDiet was evaluated using the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (KIDMED) test. For the total sample of children, 25.8% had inadequate calcium intake, a significantly higher prevalence in girls (p = 0.006) and inadequate calcium intake was associated with lower height z-score (p = 0.001) for both sexes. In girls, there was an inverse relationship between calcium intake and body mass index (p = 0.001) and waist/hip ratio (p = 0.018). Boys presented a polarization in physical activity, reporting a greater level of both physical and sedentary activity in comparison with girls (p = 0.001). Children with poor adherence to MedDiet, even if they consume two yogurts or cheese (40 g) daily, adjusted by gender, age, total energy intake, physical activity and father’s level of education, are at risk of inadequate total calcium intake (odds ratio adjusted [ORa]: 3.36, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.13–9.94, p = 0.001). The intake of these dairy products was insufficient to cover calcium intake recommendations in this age group (6–9 years). It is important to prioritize health strategies that promote the MedDiet and to increase calcium intake in this age group.
Highlights
A healthy and balanced diet in children is essential to maintain and promote their health status.This is especially important for proper growth and development in children 6 to 9 years old [1,2]
The height z-score showed that the schoolchildren with lower than recommended calcium intake were shorter in stature (p = 0.001), independently of gender
Boys were more involved in physical activity than girls, independently of calcium intake (p = 0.001)
Summary
A healthy and balanced diet in children is essential to maintain and promote their health status. This is especially important for proper growth and development in children 6 to 9 years old [1,2]. Food consumption in this stage of life is affected by socio-cultural values, family’s financial situation and the media [3]. Much concern has been voiced about whether Mediterranean countries are still adhering to the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet). Res. Public Health 2017, 14, 637; doi:10.3390/ijerph14060637 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph
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