DIFFERENCES IN REPORTED DIETARY-INTAKE OF 10-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN ON WEEKDAYS COMPARED TO SUNDAY - THE BOGALUSA HEART-STUDY

The effects of day-of-the-week on reported dietary intake were examine d in 10-year-old children. Two hundred-eighty-one children (42% black; 50% female) completed a 24-hour dietary recall interview, with 78% re presenting weekday and 22% representing Sunday eating patterns. No Sun day versus weekday differences were noted for energy, protein, fat, ca rbohydrate or sodium. Mixed protein (mixture of animal and vegetable p rotein) intakes were higher during the week (p<0.0001), particularly a t breakfast. Lactose and fructose intakes were higher on the weekday ( p<0.0001) and PUFA, MUFA and cholesterol intakes were higher on Sunday . The dairy differences noted were contributed largely by differences in the breakfast and lunch meals, particularly those consumed at schoo l. The dinner meal contributed greater lactose on Sunday (p<0.01) and greater starch on weekdays (p<0.05). Nutrient intakes from snacks did not differ between weekdays versus Sunday. Sunday intakes had signific antly greater inter-subject variability than weekday intakes for energ y, protein, SFA, cholesterol, carbohydrate, starch and sodium. Variati ons in nutrient intakes on Sunday versus weekdays was largely explaine d by differences in food group consumption. Significant differences we re noted in percent of energy from fruits, milk and meats (higher on w eekdays) and vegetables, poultry, eggs and pork (higher on Sunday). To accurately characterize the total dietary intakes and food consumptio n patterns of groups of children, it is necessary to include Sunday in takes. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Inc.