FAT PREFERENCES AND FAT CONSUMPTION OF 3-YEAR-OLD TO 5-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN ARE RELATED TO PARENTAL ADIPOSITY

Objective To examine differences in preferences for high-fat foods, di etary fat intake, anthropometric measurements, and parental body mass index (BMI) among 3- to 5-year-old children. Design Children's fat int ake was measured using 30-hour weighed food intake data from a standar d menu. Children's fat preferences were assessed using a subset of foo ds from the standard menu. We obtained parents' BMI scores and childre n's anthropometric measurements including weight-for-stature, triceps, and subscapular skinfolds. Subjects Participants were children 3 to 5 years of age (n=18, 10 girls and 8 boys; mean [+/-standard deviation] age=52+/-1.9 months) who were without food allergies, food sensitivit ies, or chronic illness, and the childrens' parents (18 mothers and 16 fathers). Statistical analyses performed Correlational analyses and m aximum likelihood contingency tables were used to examine children's f at preferences and fat intake, children's anthropometric measurements, and BMI scores of parents. Results Although all children were offered the same daily menu, children's dietary fat intakes ranged from 25% t o 42%. Children indicating strong preferences for high-fat foods had h igh total fat intakes (r=.54, P<.05;chi(2)=3.96, df=1, P<.05). Childre n's fat preferences were also related to their triceps skinfold measur ements (r=.61; P<.01). Finally, those children with the strongest pref erences for high-fat foods (r=.75, P<.01;chi(2)=10.68, df=1, P<.05) an d the highest total fat intakes (r=.67, P<.01;chi(2)=5.28, df=1, P<.05 ) had heavier parents than did children with low scores. Conclusions O ffering children a nutritionally adequate diet is necessary but may no t be sufficient to ensure dietary quality; children's food preferences are influential determinants of macronutrient intake. The association of children's fat preferences and intake with parental adiposity sugg ests that dietary influences may mediate familial patterns of adiposit y.