Relationship of Socioeconomic, Demographic, and Behavioral Variables to Changes in Children's Fat Intakes Between 1989-91 and 1994

Abstract

LEARNING OUTCOME: To better understand factors associated with the decline in fat intakes by children 2-17 years of age between 1989-91 and 1994.The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals (CSFII) 1989-91 and 1994 data indicate that fat intakes by children 2-17 years of age declined from 34 percent of calories in 1989-91 to 33 percent of calories in 1994. This study investigated whether this decline was associated with specific socioeconomic, demographic, or behavioral characteristics. The sample included 3,025 children 2-17 years of age who provided one 24-hour recall in either CSFII 1989-91 or CSFII 1994. One child was randomly selected from each survey household to avoid household clustering effects. Multiple regression analysis was used to assess the effects of selected independent variables on children's fat intakes. These variables included socioeconomic status (SES) as defined by household income and educational level of the household meal planner, region and urbanization level of residence, age, sex, and race of the child, food stamp program participation, school food consumption, meal planner employment status, season and day of week of reported intake and survey time period (1989-91 vs. 1994). Interaction terms assessing differences in the effects of SES between the two time periods were also included. The interaction of time with higher SES (household income above 185 percent of the Federal poverty level and meal planner with at least some college education) was significant (p<.05) and negative, indicating that between 1989-91 and 1994 higher SES was associated with a significant decline in children's fat intakes. Other factors significantly associated with lower fat intakes were being of a race other than black or white and living in the Northeast region of the United States as opposed to the South. School food consumption was significantly associated with higher fat intakes. Results suggest that fat intakes by lower SES children are slower to approach Dietary Guidelines recommendations than those of higher SES children. Nutrition interventions directed toward these children may be needed.