There is much interest in the nature and quality of the diet consumed by adolescents. To determine whether there are significant associations between diet and gain in height and weight in this age group, the present study analysed data on food intake and weight and height obtained on three occasions over a 30-month period from a total of 326 adolescents aged between 12 and 15 years. Information on sociodemographic and other lifestyle factors, including an indicator of physical activity, was also obtained. Energy intake was found to be a significant positive predictor of both height and weight gain. In addition intake of fat, calcium and riboflavin were found to be significant positive predicators of height gain and intake of carbohydrate and starch significant positive predictors of weight gain. After controlling for energy intake only riboflavin approached significance as a positive predictor of height gain. A food group analysis identified intake of dairy foods as a significant predictor of height gain. Although statistically significant the dietary predictors explained only a small proportion of the variability in height and weight (≤3.5%). Given the difficulties in obtaining complete dietary records from this age group and the generally adequate nature of the diet in the study group, the small proportion of height and weight gain explained by diet is not unexpected. Nevertheless the nutrient predictors identified are consistent with nutrient requirements for growth during adolescence and highlight the importance, for this age group, of an adequate intake of nutrients specifically provided by dairy foods. Few significant associations were found between growth rates and the sociodemographic and the lifestyle factors measured in this study. The ethnic diversity of the study sample may have contributed to this outcome.

This study was designed to measure the prevalence and nutritional impact of dairy product restriction in both pregnant and lactating women. Dairy product (DP) restriction was assessed in 2091 prenatal class attendees. Subsamples of 279 healthy pregnant and 175 exclusively breastfeeding women provided repeat 24-hour dietary recalls which were used to estimate nutrient intake and to assess dietary adequacy using adjusted nutrient distributions. Pregnancy outcome was recorded. Pregnancy. DP restriction was reported by 13.2% (95% CI: 12.7%,14.1%) of pregnant women. Significant differences were found in the proportion of restrictors (Rs, 20.8%) below the calculated EAR for adjusted protein intakes vs. nonrestrictors (NRs, 9.2%, chi 2 = 6.78, p = 0.009). Intake distributions of calcium and vitamin D were compared to their respective Als for descriptive purposes and were lower for Rs vs. NRs but dietary inadequacy could not be assessed. Infants of NRs weighed on average 120 g +/- 468.9 g more than those of Rs but this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.06). However, in multiple regression analysis where maternal weight gain, age, education and pregravid weight were controlled for, restriction predicted a comparable loss in birthweight of 122.5 g's (p = 0.048) and vitamin D intakes were positively associated with fetal growth. Lactation. Restriction (≤250 ml milk/day) was reported by 23% (95% CI; 16%--29%) of exclusively lactating women. Protein was lower than the EAR for 60% of Rs and 37.8% of NRs (chi 2 = 6.22, p = 0.025). The proportion of Rs and NRs < EAR from diet differed for thiamin (15% vs. 0%, chi2 = 0.97, p < 0.001), riboflavin (15% vs. 1.5%, chi2 = 12.93, p < 0.001) and zinc (65.0% vs. 34.8%, chi2 = 11.6, p < 0.041). From diet and supplement intake vitamin D and calcium remained lower for Rs compared to NRs but inadequacy could not be assessed or compared. DP restriction was not associated with greater weight loss amo

Thesis (M.S.)--Purdue University, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves [70]-80). Also available online (PDF file) by a subscription to the set or by purchasing the individual file.

Thesis (M.S.)--Purdue University, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves [70]-80).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Oregon State University, 2007. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the World Wide Web.

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Thesis (M.S.) --The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 2008. / Directed by Martha Taylor; submitted to the Dept. of Nutrition. Title from PDF t.p. (viewed Apr. 13, 2010). Includes bibliographical references (p. 62-65).