Food Group Consumption in a Sample of Children in Houston Area and Its Related Influencing Factors

Abstract

The objective of this research is to discover if significant relationships exist between age, gender, household income, locations where children/adolescents ate, whom they ate with, whether they considered the food as a meal or a snack, and their consumption of food by food group. Three hundred and twelve children (9-11 years old)/adolescents (13-15 years old) completed a 24-hour dietary intake recall, and a 2-day dietary record. The subject was asked to indicate the amount of food he/she consumed, where he/she consumed it, who was with him/her when he/she consumed the food, and whether he/she considered the food to be a meal or a snack. The information was coded and all the foods were grouped into 12 groups. Data were analyzed with the Statistical Analysis System (SAS). The results showed that children had higher intakes of breads and cereals, dairy products, fruits and fruit juices, snacks and desserts than adolescents. Girls consumed more snacks and desserts, and condiments than boys. Children/adolescents in families with higher household incomes consumed more snacks and desserts, but fewer meats than those with lower household incomes. Children and adolescents consumed more breads and cereals, dairy products, fruits and fruit juices, vegetables, fats, meats, and snacks and desserts when they ate at home than when they ate away from home. Children/adolescents ate more breads and cereals, dairy products, fruits and fruit juices, vegetables, fats, meats and condiments when they ate with various family members than when they ate alone, with only one family member or with non-family members. Children/adolescents consumed more breads and cereals, dairy products, fruits and fruit juices, burgers and sandwiches, snacks and desserts, condiments, but less fats when they ate with their friends as compared to eating with others. Children/adolescents who ate breakfast had higher intakes of breads and cereals, dairy products, fruits and fruit juices, vegetables, fats, meats, snacks and desserts, and condiments than those who did not eat breakfast. Children/adolescents who ate more fruit and fruit juices had consumed significantly more breads and cereals, dairy products, vegetables, snacks and desserts, but consumed fewer sweetened beverages than those who did not eat fruits and fruit juices.