Dietary studies of children from a biracial population: intakes of fat and fatty acids in 10-and 13-year olds

Abstract

Dietary intakes of fat and fatty acids were examined in children randomly selected from a biracial community, Bogalusa, LA. Between two 10-yr-old groups examined 3 yr apart, temporal trends of 1) higher intakes of polyunsaturated fatty acids, linoleic and linolenic acids, and 2) lower intakes of animal fat, saturated fatty acids, and palmitic acid were documented. No racial differences were found, and the only difference between sexes was for myristic acid (boys > girls). Longitudinal comparisons of a cohort of 148 children examined at both 10 and 13 yr showed higher intakes over time of unsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, vegetable fat, oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids, and lower intakes of cholesterol, saturated fatty acids, animal fat, and myristic acid. The percentage of energy intake from fat, saturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids was quite similar to other reports of US children and adults. Few children's intakes of cholesterol, fat, and fatty acids were compatible with current recommendations for prudent diets. Patterns of dietary fat and fatty acid intake of Bogalusa children reflect reported food market trends of increased use of vegetable fats.