Impact of calcium intake on body mass index in Venezuelan adolescents
P. R. health sci. j
; 26(3): 199-204, Sept. 2007.
Article
in En
| LILACS
| ID: lil-476015
Responsible library:
BR1.1
ABSTRACT
The prevalence of overweight and obesity is increasing worldwide, affecting approximately 15% of adolescents in Venezuela, 17% in United States, and more than 30% in Mexico and Puerto Rico. Recent studies have shown that dietary calcium and dairy intake are associated with body fat. These studies show that a high calcium intake results in low body mass index (BMI). Therefore, the objective of the present study is to relate calcium intake from foods rich in calcium-rich foods to body weight and BMI in a random sample of 100 adolescents, aged 13-18 years. Anthropometric measurements (weight and height) were obtained for each participant, who also completed a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), modified with calcium-rich foods. Dietary calcium consumption was 1076+/-534 mg/d among the adolescents, which represented an adequacy of 90%. A negative and significant association was found between calcium intake and BMI in the boys aged 13-15 years (r=-0.39, p<0.05). This population subgroup exhibited the widest range of BMI values among all groups evaluated. This correlation was not found among the older boys (aged 16-18 years) or girls, in which BMI was in the normal range and with relatively high calcium intake. In conclusion, we found that high calcium intake in younger boys was related to a lower BMI. A high calcium intake, not only helps to maintain a healthy body weight, but also is essential for acquiring peak bone mass in this crucial stage of life.
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Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
LILACS
Main subject:
Calcium, Dietary
/
Body Mass Index
Type of study:
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Adolescent
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Country/Region as subject:
America do sul
/
Venezuela
Language:
En
Journal:
P. R. health sci. j
Journal subject:
MEDICINA
Year:
2007
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Puerto Rico