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ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #256569
Title: Relationship between 100% juice consumption and nutrient intake and weight of adolescents

Author
item O'NEIL, CAROL - Louisana State University
item NICKLAS, THERESA - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item KLEINMAN, RONALD - Harvard Medical School

Submitted to: American Journal of Health Promotion
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/27/2008
Publication Date: 3/22/2010
Citation: O'Neil, C.E., Nicklas, T.A., Kleinman, R. 2010. Relationship between 100% juice consumption and nutrient intake and weight of adolescents. American Journal of Health Promotion. 24(4): 231-237.

Interpretive Summary: Intake of 100% juice, even in amounts exceeding recommendations, is not associated with increased weight in adolescents, and it provides valuable nutrients, including vitamins C and B6, folate, copper, and potassium, while decreasing intake of total fat, saturated fatty acid, and discretionary fat, and added sugars. In addition, 100% juice consumption was associated with increased intake of total whole fruit and some vegetables, and it did not result in decreased intake of milk, meat, or grains in diet of adolescents. These data suggest that 100% juice should be encouraged as part of an overall healthy diet for adolescents and can help them meet the overall recommendations for fruit consumption.

Technical Abstract: This study investigated the associations among 100% juice consumption, nutrient intake, and measures of weight in adolescents. A cross-sectional secondary analysis of data from adolescents aged 12 to 18 years (n=3939) participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2002 was conducted to assess nutrient and weight in categories of 100% juice consumption. Least square means and logistic regression analyses were generated, and were adjusted from gender, age, ethnicity, and energy intake. Analyses were Bonferroni corrected with an effective p value of .0125. Our results showed that Twenty-eight percent of adolescents (51% male, 42% Hispanic, 25% non-Hispanic white, 29% non-Hispanic black) consumed 100% juice the day of the recall. The mean amount of 100% juice consumed was 3.7 ounces (2.2% of energy intake). Compared with non-juice consumers, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins C, and B6, folate, potassium, copper, magnesium, and iron intakes of juice consumers were higher, and intakes of fat and saturated fatty acids were lower. Those consuming greater than 6 ounces of juice consumed more servings of fruit and less discretionary fat and added sugar than non-consumers did. Juice consumption group found no differences in weight. In conclusion, when compared with non-juice consumers, adolescents consuming 100% juice did not show mean increased weight measures. Juice provided valuable nutrients and consumption as associated with lower intakes of total fat, saturated fatty acids, discretionary fat, and added sugars, and with higher intakes of whole fruit; however, consumption was not associated with decreased intake of milk, meat, or grains.