Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior
Volume 41, Issue 4 , Pages 254-260, July 2009

Calcium and Dairy Intake: Longitudinal Trends during the Transition to Young Adulthood and Correlates of Calcium Intake

  • Nicole I. Larson, PhD, MPH, RD

      Affiliations

    • Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
    • Corresponding Author InformationAddress 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
    • ,
  • Dianne Neumark-Sztainer, PhD, MPH, RD

      Affiliations

    • Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
    • ,
  • Lisa Harnack, DrPH, RD

      Affiliations

    • Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
    • ,
  • Melanie Wall, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Division of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
    • ,
  • Mary Story, PhD, RD

      Affiliations

    • Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
    • ,
  • Marla E. Eisenberg, ScD, MPH

      Affiliations

    • Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

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.

Key Words: calcium intake, dairy intake, young adulthood, adolescence, longitudinal study

 

 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.

PII: S1499-4046(08)00664-7

doi:10.1016/j.jneb.2008.05.001

Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior
Volume 41, Issue 4 , Pages 254-260, July 2009

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