Macronutrient energy intake and adiposity in non obese prepubertal children aged 5-11y (the Fleurbaix Laventie Ville Sante Study)

OBJECTIVE: To investigate associations between adiposity indices and food i ntake in nonobese prepubertal free-living children. SUBJECTS: Five-hundred and one children, 280 boys and 221 girls aged 5-11 y in two little towns in northern France. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Height and weight, four skinfolds (biceps, triceps, subscapular, suprailiac), waist and hip girths, were measured. Sum of skinf olds (SSF), body mass index (BMI), and relative weight (RW) were calculated . Energy intake (El), percentage of energy intake ascribed to carbohydrates (%EIC), complex carbohydrates (%EICC), fats (%EIF), saturated fats (%EISF) and proteins (%EIP) were assessed by a single 24 h record. Basal metabolic rate (BMR) was estimated according to Schofield's equations. Obese (RW gre ater than or equal to 120%), and underreporting children according to Goldb erg's and Black's equations were excluded. RESULTS: In multiple linear regressions analyses performed with hierarchica l mixed models, adiposity indices were significantly and inversely associat ed in girls with %EIC (all P-values <0.02), and positively with %EIF (all P -values <0.05. waist girth and BMI excepted). Similar but non-significant t rends were observed in boys. The relationships were not linear, and thresho lds close to current dietary recommendations were highlighted. When %EIF wa s low, a lower percentage of energy intake ascribed to %EISF was associated with thinness. These associations remained after the exclusion of children who had an EI/BMR less than or equal to1.50. CONCLUSIONS: In nonobese prepubertal children aged 5-11 y, a high %EIC, clo se to dietary recommendations (greater than or equal to 55%), was associate d with thinness. A high %EIF, over the upper dietary recommendation (less t han or equal to 35%), was associated with a greater adiposity thickness. Th ere was no further increase in adiposity beyond this threshold. Reasons for the absence of a linear relationship pattern between adiposity and macronu trient intake remain to be determined.