The effects of an 8-year individualised lifestyle intervention on food consumption and nutrient intake from childhood to adolescence: the PANIC Study.

Abstract

We aimed to investigate the effects of a long-term, individualised, family-based lifestyle intervention on food consumption and nutrient intake from childhood to adolescence. We conducted an 8-year diet and physical activity intervention study in a population sample of children aged 7-9 years at baseline in 2007-2009. We allocated the participants to the intervention group (n 306) and the control group (n 198). We assessed diet by 4-d food records at baseline, 2-year follow-up and 8-year follow-up. We analysed the data using linear mixed-effects models adjusted for age at baseline and sex. The consumption of vegetables and vegetable oil-based spreads (fat ≥60 %) increased in the intervention group but did not change in the control group (P < 0⋅001 for time×group interaction). The consumption of fruits and berries increased in the intervention group but decreased in the control group (P = 0⋅036). The consumption of high-fat cheese (P = 0⋅029), butter-based spreads (P = 0⋅001) and salty snacks (P = 0⋅028) increased less, and the consumption of low-fat cheese (P = 0⋅004) increased more in the intervention group than in the control group. Saturated fat intake (P = 0⋅001) increased less, and the intakes of dietary fibre (P = 0⋅003), vitamin D (P = 0⋅042) and vitamin E (P = 0⋅027) increased more in the intervention group than in the control group. The intakes of vitamin C (P < 0⋅001) and folate (P = 0⋅001) increased in the intervention group but decreased in the control group. To conclude, individualised, family-based lifestyle intervention altered food choices towards more recommended diet and resulted in enhanced diet quality from childhood to adolescence.