Calcium and Dairy Intake: Longitudinal Trends during the Transition to Young Adulthood and Correlates of Calcium Intake
Abstract
Objective
To describe changes in calcium and dairy intake during the transition from middle adolescence to young adulthood and to identify baseline correlates of calcium intake in young adulthood.
Design
Population-based, 5-year follow-up study (Project EAT: Eating Among Teens).
Setting
Baseline surveys were completed in Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN schools and by mail at follow-up.
Participants
Males and females (N = 1521) attending high school at baseline (mean age = 15.9 years) and with a mean age of 20.5 years at follow-up.
Main Outcome Measures
Calcium intake.
Analysis
Mixed and linear regression methods were used to respectively examine trends and correlates of intake.
Results
During the transition to young adulthood, mean daily calcium intakes of females and males decreased by an average of 153 mg and 194 mg respectively. Mealtime milk availability, health/nutrition attitudes, taste preference for milk, healthful weight control behaviors, and peer support for healthful eating at baseline were associated with better follow-up calcium intake. Time spent watching television and lactose intolerance were associated with lower intake at follow-up.
Conclusions and Implications
Nutrition interventions are needed to counter longitudinal decreases in calcium intake. Interventions targeted to adolescents should address the availability of milk at meals and other identified supports for healthful eating.
1Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
2Division of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
3Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Address for correspondence: Nicole I. Larson, PhD, MPH, RD, Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Suite 300, 1300 South Second Street, Minneapolis, MN 55454; Phone: (612) 625-5881; Fax: (612) 626-7103
Continuing Education Questionnaire available at www.sne.org/ Meets Learning Need Codes for RDs and DTRs 3020, 4010, 4040, 4120, 4160, and 5130.
Data collection was supported by grant number R40 MC 00319 (PI: D. Neumark-Sztainer) from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (Title V, Social Security Act), Health Resources and Service Administration, Department of Health and Human Services. Analyses were supported by the Adolescent Health Protection Program, grant T01-DP000112 (PI: L. Bearinger) from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of Health and Human Services.
ABSTRACT