Beverage choices affect adequacy of children's nutrient intakes

Objective: To assess the relationship between beverage choices and the adeq uacy of nutrient intakes among children and adolescents. Design: Beverages reported in 24-hour recall records were classified as mil k, 100% juice, fruit-flavored drinks, or carbonated sodas. Recommended inta kes were based on Recommended Dietary Allowances or Dietary Reference Intak es. Participants: Four thousand seventy children aged 2 to 5, 6 to 11, and 12 t o 17 years participating in the 1994-96 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes b y Individuals. Statistical Analysis: The likelihood of achieving recommended intakes of se lected nutrients on the day of recall was assessed with multiple logistic r egression including ounces of milk, juice, fruit-flavored drinks, and carbo nated sodas in the model while controlling for sex, age in years, race/ethn ic group, household income, and total energy intake. Results: Milk consumption was positively (P<.0001) associated with the like lihood of achieving recommended vitamin A, folate, vitamin B-12, calcium, a nd magnesium intakes in all age strata. Juice consumption was positively (P <less than or equal to>.001) associated with achieving recommended vitamin C and folate intakes in all age strata and magnesium intakes among children aged 6 years and older. Carbonated soda consumption was negatively (P less than or equal to .01) associated with achieving vitamin A intake in all ag e strata, calcium in children younger than 12 years, and magnesium in child ren aged 6 years and older. Conclusion: Beverage choice can have a significant effect on the nutrient a dequacy of the diets of children and adolescents.