Abstract
Increased fiber intake has been linked with lower risk of overweight and obesity in adults, but data are sparse for children. To address this issue, NHANES 2003–2006 data was used to evaluate (1) the food sources of fiber in children, (2) the dietary fiber density levels and risk of being classified as overweight/obese, and (3) the association between fiber intake level and impaired glucose metabolism in children. Analyses were restricted to the subsample of children with biological plausible diet reports (N = 4,667) and stratified by 2–11 year olds (n = 2072) and 12–18 year olds (n = 2595). Results showed that the food sources are predominantly foods that are low in dietary fiber, but are consumed at high levels. In 2–18 year old plausible reporters, the risk for overweight/obesity decreased by 17% from children in the medium tertile of fiber density intake compared to the lowest tertile (OR = 0.83, P value = 0.043) and by 21% between the highest compared to the lowest tertile (OR = 0.79, P value = 0.031). There was a protective effect of being in the medium tertile of dietary fiber density (OR = 0.68, P value <0.001) on impaired glucose metabolism. These results indicate a beneficial effect of higher fiber density in children's diets.
Highlights
Considerable evidence supports that increasing consumption of dietary fiber is associated with lower risk of obesity in adults [1]
A twoyear follow-up study conducted in Latino children 7–11 years old showed that an increase of 3 g of dietary fiber/1000 kcals was associated with a 4% reduction of visceral body fat while a fiber decrease of the same amount was associated with a 21% increase of visceral body fat [2]
Obesity in childhood often results in insulin resistance, which disrupts glucose metabolism and can eventually result in diabetes [4], but data on glucose metabolism and fiber intake are sparse for children
Summary
Considerable evidence supports that increasing consumption of dietary fiber is associated with lower risk of obesity in adults [1]. Based on these data, the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) for Americans two years and older is to consume 14 grams (g) of total fiber per 1000 kilocalories (kcal) of total energy intake. Current research suggests that cereal fiber and whole-grain intake is associated with decreased risk of diabetes, but no effect was found with increased intake of soluble fiber from fruits and vegetables [7, 8].
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