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ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #212110
Title: The Relationship among 100% Juice Consumption, Nutrient Intake, and Weight of Children 2-11 Years

Author
item O'NEIL, CAROL - LOUISIANA STATE UNIV
item Nicklas, Theresa
item KLEINMAN, RONALD - HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL

Submitted to: Pediatric Academic Society
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/1/2007
Publication Date: 5/5/2007
Citation: O'Neil, C.E., Nicklas, T.A., Kleinman, R.E. 2007. The relationship among 100% juice consumption, nutrient intake, and weight of children 2-11 years [abstract]. Pediatric Academic Societies Annual Meeting, May 5-8, 2007, Toronto, Canada. Abstract No. 8406.4.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Inconsistent research findings have led to continued debate over the potential associations between 100% juice consumption (JC), nutrient intake,and weight in children. The objective is to investigate the associations between JC, nutrient intake, and weight in children. Children 2 to 11 years of age were identified by a secondary analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2002 data. The types and amounts of foods/beverages consumed were collected using the multi-pass 24-hour dietary recall method. Least square means and logistic regression analyses were generated, adjusting for gender, age, ethnicity, and energy intake. Significant differences are reported at a p<0.05 level. As the result of the 3,618 children, the mean daily JC was 4.1 ounces, contributing a mean intake of 58 calories (3.3% of total energy intake). Compared to non-consumers, intakes of energy, carbohydrate, fiber, vitamins C and B6, potassium, riboflavin, magnesium, iron, and folate by juice consumers were significantly higher, and intakes of sodium, fat, saturated fat, added fat, and added sugar were lower. Children consuming 100% juice also consumed significantly more servings of total whole fruit than non-consumers. For all of the physiologic weight measures studied, no significant differences were found in the mean levels and the amounts of 100% JC. Overall, there was no difference in the likelihood of being overweight among the JC group compared to non-consumers. On average, children drank less than 6 oz/day of 100% juice. JC was associated with higher intakes of several vitamins and minerals, and total whole fruit, and lower intakes of sodium, fat, saturated fat, added fat and added sugars, than children who did not consume 100% juice. JC was not associated with overweight in children 2-11 years of age, confirming that intake of 100% JC is not excessive, is a valuable contributor of nutrients in childrens diets, and does not have an adverse effect on weight.