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Title: One hundred percent orange juice consumption is associated with better diet quality, improved nutient adequacy, and no increased risk for overweight/obesity in children

Author
item O'NEIL, CAROL - Louisiana State University
item NICKLAS, THERESA - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item RAMPERSAUD, GAIL - University Of Florida
item FULGONI III, VICTOR - Nutrition Impact, Llc

Submitted to: Nutrition Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/6/2011
Publication Date: 9/20/2011
Citation: O'Neil, C.E., Nicklas, T.A., Rampersaud, G.C., Fulgoni III, V.L. 2011. One hundred percent orange juice consumption is associated with better diet quality, improved nutient adequacy, and no increased risk for overweight/obesity in children. Nutrition Research. 31:673-682.

Interpretive Summary: The purpose of this study was to examine if certain associations existed regarding 100 percent orange juice consumption by children 2 to 18 years of age with intakes of select nutrients, food groups, diet quality, weight status, and associated risk factors. Using complicated statistical approaches we found that the usual intake of 100 percent orange juice in younger orange juice consumers exceeded the age-dependent recommendations. The consumption of 100 percent orange juice at these levels was associated with nutritional benefits for all children, including better diet quality and increased intake of key nutrients under consumed or of public health concern, and other biomarkers of positive health outcomes. Notably, consumption of 100 percent orange juice at current levels was not associated with body weight or adiposity. Reasonable levels of 100 percent orange juice should be encouraged for children and adults as a component of a healthy diet.

Technical Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the association of 100 percent orange juice consumption by children 2 to 18 years of age (n = 7250) participating in the 2003 to 2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey with intakes of select nutrients, MyPyramid food groups, diet quality-measured by the Healthy Eating Index–2005, weight status, and associated risk factors. The National Cancer Institute method was used to estimate the usual intake of 100 percent orange juice consumption, selected nutrients, and MyPyramid food groups. Percentages of the population below the Estimated Average Requirement were determined. Covariate adjusted logistic regression was used to determine if consumers had a lower odds ratio of being overweight or obese. Usual per capita intake of 100 percent orange juice was 1.7 oz/d. Among consumers, the usual intake of 100 percent orange juice for children was 10.2 oz/d. Consumers had higher energy intakes than nonconsumers. However, there were no differences in weight or body mass index in consumers and nonconsumers, and there was no significant difference in the risk of being overweight or obese between consumers and nonconsumers.Compared with nonconsumers, consumers had a higher percentage of the population meeting the Estimated Average Requirement for vitamin A, vitamin C, folate, and magnesium. The Healthy Eating Index–2005 was significantly higher in consumers. Consumers also had higher intakes of total fruit, fruit juice, and whole fruit. Moderate consumption of 100 percent orange juice should be encouraged in children as a component of a healthy diet.