ARS | Publication request: Fruit juice consumption is associated with improved nutrient adequacy in children and adolescents: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-2006

Submitted to: Public Health Nutrition
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: January 2, 2012
Publication Date: March 23, 2012
Citation: O'Neil, C.E., Nicklas, T.A., Zanovec, M., Kleinman, R., Fulgoni III, V. 2012. Fruit juice consumption is associated with improved nutrient adequaty in children and adolescents: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-2006. Public Health Nutrition. 15:1871-1878.

Interpretive Summary: Consumption of 100% fruit juice by children and adolescents continues to be questioned since some scientists categorize 100% fruit juice as a sweetened beverage or believe that children consume excessive amounts of 100% fruit juice. Concern over the tenuous relationship with weight has overshadowed the contribution of 100% fruit juice to nutrient intake and diet quality: 100% fruit juice is a nutrient-dense food and a source of valuable nutrients, especially vitamin C, folate, magnesium, and vitamin K. The study showed that the percentage of children and adolescents consuming 100% fruit juice was age dependent; younger children consumed more 100% fruit juice than adolescents. The present study also showed that consumption of 100% fruit juice was not excessive on a population-wide basis. Overall intake in children and adolescents aged 2–18 years was slightly lower than that reported previously for children aged 2–11 years and the same as previously reported in adolescents aged 12–18 years. Consumption of 100% fruit juice is also associated with an increased likelihood of meeting the recommendations for shortfall nutrients. Thus, 100% fruit juice consumption was associated with improved nutrient adequacy and can contribute to a healthy diet.

Technical Abstract: The goal of the study was to examine the contribution of 100% fruit juice consumption to dietary adequacy of shortfall nutrients by children and adolescents. This was a cross-sectional study and used data from the 2003–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Participants were children and adolescents aged 2–18 years (n 7250). Usual intake, determined from two 24-hour dietary recalls, was calculated using the National Cancer Institute method. The population was divided into consumers or non-consumers of 100% fruit juice. Children aged 2–5 years had the highest percentage of 100% fruit juice consumption, followed by children aged 6–12 years and adolescents aged 13–18 years. Consumption of 100% fruit juice is associated with improved nutrient adequacy and can contribute to a healthy diet.