NUTRIENT INTAKE AND FOOD GROUP CONSUMPTION OF 10-YEAR-OLDS BY SUGAR INTAKE LEVEL - THE BOGALUSA HEART-STUDY

Objective: The effect of total sugar intake on nutrient intake and foo d group consumption was examined in children. Methods: Twenty-four hou r dietary recalls were collected on a sample of 568 ten-year-olds from two cross-sectional surveys. The population was stratified according to total sugar intake quartiles: less than or equal to 25th (46 g/1000 kcal), 25-50th (67 g/1000 kcal), 50-75th (81 g/1000 kcal) and greater than or equal to 75th (106 g/1000 kcal). Results: No significant diff erence was shown in energy intakes across the quartiles and no signifi cant race or gender differences were observed in mean total sugar inta kes. However, with increasing total sugar intake, there was a signific ant linear decrease in mean intakes of protein,fat, saturated fat, sta rch, cholesterol, sodium, vitamins B-6 and E, thiamin, niacin, iron, a nd zinc; and a significant linear increase in mean intakes of carbohyd rate, fructose, lactose, sucrose, vitamin D, and calcium. Eating patte rns reflected the differing nutrient intakes, with high sugar consumer s having significantly higher intakes of total g of candy, beverages a nd milk and lower intakes of total g of meats, and cheese than lower s ugar consumers. The nutritional quality of children's diets high in to tal sugar appear to be adequate regarding vitamin and mineral intakes and are closer to meeting current dietary fat recommendations.