Food group consumption and its association with BMI z‐score and socioeconomic characteristics in rural school‐aged children

Abstract

U.S. children's compliance with dietary recommendations varies by age, gender, and socioeconomic and weight status. We analyzed data from 1273 children (grades 1–6) participating in the Creating Healthy, Active and Nourishing Growing‐up Environments (CHANGE) study, an obesity‐prevention intervention in eight rural US communities. Children's intakes of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein foods and dairy were assessed using the Block Food Screener for ages 2–17 y. General linear models were used to calculate adjusted prevalence of meeting 50% of recommended whole‐grain servings and 100% of recommended servings for the other groups and to study the association between covering recommendations and weight. Prevalence of meeting dietary recommendations decreased across age groups for all food groups except fruits. Prevalence of meeting the fruit recommendations was lower in boys than girls. Hispanic children were more likely to consume recommended fruit and dairy servings, compared to black and white children, and whole grains compared to white children. BMI z‐score and prevalence of overweight and obesity was lower in children meeting recommendations for all food groups compared to children who met no recommendations (1.13 vs.0.77, P=0.02 and 39 vs. 61%, P < 0.001, respectively). Adhering to dietary recommendations varied by age, gender, race and weight status in this population of rural children.Support was provided by Save the Children's U.S. Programs.