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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Boston, Massachusetts » Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #191823
Title: MEETING ADEQUATE INTAKE FOR DIETARY CALCIUM WITHOUT DAIRY FOODS IN ADOLESCENTS, AGED 9-18 YEARS (NHANES 2001-2002)

Author
item GAO, XIANG - TUFTS/HNRCA
item WILDE, PARKE - TUFTS UNIVERSITY
item Lichtenstein, Alice
item Tucker, Katherine

Submitted to: Journal Of The American Dietetic Association
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/21/2006
Publication Date: 11/1/2006
Citation: Gao, X., Wilde, P., Lichtenstein, A.H., Tucker, K.L. 2006. Meeting adequate intake for dietary calcium without dairy foods in adolescents, aged 9-18 years (nhanes 2001-2002). Journal Of The American Dietetic Association. 106(11):1759-65.

Interpretive Summary: Adequate dietary calcium intake during growth is important for the accretion of peak bone mass, which has been shown to be negatively associated with osteoporosis in later life. In the US, approximately 50% of total dietary calcium intake is provided by milk and milk products. However, a large proportion of children do not drink milk. We conducted the current study to 1) determine the maximal amount of calcium intake obtained from food for children without dairy intake, and 2) to examine the relationship between intake of calcium fortified foods, using citrus juice as an example, and the maximal dietary calcium intakes. 65 girls and 62 boys, who reported no intake of dairy in the 1999-2000 National Health and Nutrition Examination Study (NHANES), were included in our study. Children without dairy intake had very low calcium intake. Within typical US dietary patterns, the AI for calcium cannot be met with dairy-free diets while meeting other nutrient recommendations. Attention to other factors important for bone, including greater physical activity and sunlight exposure, therefore, should be encouraged among children with dairy intake restrictions. To meet the AI for calcium without large changes in dietary pattern, calcium-fortified citrus juices or other foods are needed.

Technical Abstract: In the US, approximately 50% of total dietary calcium intake is provided by milk and milk products. However, a large proportion of children do not drink milk. The current study was designed to 1) determine the maximal amount of calcium intake obtained from food for children without dairy intake, and 2) to examine the relationship between intake of calcium fortified foods, using citrus juice as an example, and the maximal dietary calcium intakes. In the 1999-2000 National Health and Nutrition Examination Study (NHANES), 65 girls and 62 boys reported no intake of dairy. Linear programming was used to generate diets with maximal calcium intake, that also met Dietary Reference Intakes for a set of nutrients, limited total energy and fat intakes, and did not exceed the 90th percentile of any food group consumption. Average calcium intakes were significant lower for girls (495 vs. 823 mg/d) and boys (512 vs. 996 mg/d) without dairy intake relative to those with dairy intake, respectively. With food use, energy, and fat constraints in the models, diets formulated by linear programming provided 1,150 and 1,411 mg/d of calcium for girls and boys, respectively. When the DRI constraints were added, maximal calcium intakes decreased to 869, and 1,160 mg/d. When calcium-fortified citrus juice was gradually introduced into the model, clear linear relationships were observed for girls and boys. For girls, 1.5 servings of fortified juices increased maximal calcium intake to 1,302 mg, and for boys, to 1,640 mg calcium. The AI of calcium cannot be met with dairy-free diets while meeting other nutrient recommendations. Attention to other factors important for bone, including greater physical activity and sunlight exposure, therefore, should be encouraged. To meet the AI for calcium without large changes in dietary pattern, calcium-fortified citrus juices or other foods are needed.