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ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #180841
Title: ASSOCIATION OF CALCIUM INTAKE AND DAIRY PRODUCT CONSUMPTION WITH OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY IN YOUNG ADULTS (1995-96)

Author
item RANGANATHAN, RAJESHWARI - BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MED
item Nicklas, Theresa
item BROOKS, BRANDI - BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MED
item YANG, SU-JAU - BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MED
item BERENSON, GERALD - TULANE UNIV MED CENTER

Submitted to: Obesity Research
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/1/2004
Publication Date: 12/1/2004
Citation: Ranganathan, R., Nicklas, T., Brooks, B.A., Yang, S., Berenson, G.S. 2004. Association of calcium intake and dairy product consumption with overweight and obesity in young adults (1995-96). Obesity Research. 12(Supplement):A217.

Interpretive Summary: AN INTERPRETIVE SUMMARY IS NOT REQUIRED.

Technical Abstract: Evidence is accumulating on the inverse association between high intakes of calcium and dairy products on weight status. However, more studies are needed to confirm these associations in other ethnically diverse populations. The goal of this research was to further investigate the associations between calcium intake, dairy product consumption and weight status in a well-defined population. The sample used in this study consisted of 1306 young adults, ages 19-28 years (73% Euro-Americans (EA); 27% African-Americans (AA)) who participated in a 1995-1996 young adult survey. Data from a food frequency questionnaire and anthropometric measures were collected on each participant. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was performed to evaluate the association between calcium intake, dairy product consumption and weight status for ethnicity-gender groups separately. Mean body mass index (BMI) was lowest in EA females and highest in AA females. Waist circumference (WC) was significantly higher in males than females and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) was lowest in AA females. Physical activity level was lowest in EA females and highest in AA males. Dietary intake of calcium and mean dairy product consumption was significantly lower in females and EA than males and AA. Mean intakes of low-fat dairy products and calcium by weight status, defined by WHR, were significantly higher (p<0.05) in normal weight EA males than in overweight EA males. However, no significant association was found between dairy product consumption and calcium intake with overweight, defined by BMI or WC. Consuming low-fat dairy products and dietary calcium may help control weight in EA males. However, more studies are needed to look at different measures of adiposity and weight status to see if body fat distribution plays a major role in the calcium-overweight association.