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1
IS THERE A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DIETARY INTAKE
FOOD PREFERENCES AND BMI IN OBESE HISPANIC
TODDLERS A. Popejoy N. DiMarco E. Andersson
C. Huettig C. Sanborn Texas Womans University
Institute for Womens Health Denton TX
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE
RESULTS
DISCUSSION
The purpose of this study was to investigate the
relationship between body mass index (BMI)
dietary intake and parents report of childrens
food preferences in at-risk obese Hispanic
toddlers. Dietary intake and food preferences of
67 obese (BMI percentile) Hispanic toddlers
ages 13 to 60 months were analyzed to determine
if correlations existed between dietary habits
and BMI. No correlations were found between BMI
and dietary intake or between BMI and fat content
of childrens food preferences. A significant
(p found to exist between the number of visits with
a WIC dietitian and percent of total calories
from fat. Foods regularly consumed and common
favorite foods of at-risk obese Hispanic
toddlers were identified.
The purpose of this study was to examine the
relationship between BMI parents report of
childrens food preferences and food intake of
obese Hispanic toddlers. Determining the specific
nutritional factors and feeding practices that
influence obesity will assist nutrition educators
in developing nutrition recommendations that
promote the proper growth of children while
protecting their health.

• The present study found no significant
  relationship between toddlers dietary intake and
  BMI.
• The dietary intake patterns in this study were
  relatively consistent with intakes of toddlers
  and adolescents in other studies.
• The participants in this study had an average
  calorie intake of 81.5 kcal/kg. The recommended
  intake for this age group is 90-102 kcal/kg
  indicating underreporting of dietary intake
• The more times participants visit with the WIC
  dietitian the lower their percent of calories
  from fat.

Mean Daily Macronutrient Values from Diet
Histories of Obese At-Risk Hispanic Toddlers (n
67)
INTRODUCTION

• An estimated one in four children in the United
  States is overweight while 11 are obese.
• Childhood obesity has been associated with
  numerous adverse health outcomes including
  diabetes heart disease respiratory problems
  and cancer
• The current obesity epidemic likely has many
  causes however decreased physical activity and
  changes in dietary intake are recognized as
  common risk factors.
• Obesity disproportionately affects minority
  groups and low-income individuals.
• The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for
  Women Infants and Children (WIC) provides free
  nutrition education and supplemental nutrition
  packages to low-income families.
• Even though obesity is becoming a widespread
  epidemic among low-income children assistance
  programs at WIC are currently not designed to
  appropriately address the obesity epidemic.

METHODS
One-day food histories obtained from
participants WIC files. Diet analysis performed
on Nutritionist Five software (First DataBank
Inc. San Bruno CA). a USDA Food and Nutrition
Information Center. (2003). Dietary Reference
Intakes (DRI) and Recommended Dietary Allowances
(RDA) from http//www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/ bNo data
(ND)

• Participants (n 67)
• Obese Hispanic toddlers ages 12 to 60 months
  (BMI 90th percentile)
• Measurements
• Body Mass Index (BMI kg/m2)
• Diet history from WIC dietitian notes
• Report of food preferences obtained during
• parent interviews
• Analysis
• Descriptive statistics including means with
• standard deviations

CONCLUSIONS

• There is no significant relationship between the
  dietary intake of obese Hispanic toddlers and
  body mass index (BMI).
• Hispanic obese toddlers have percent fat intakes
  (32) greater than the recommended intake of less
  than 30 of total calories.
• Hispanic obese toddlers have saturated fat
  intakes (13) greater than the recommended intake
  of less than 10 of total calories.
• There is a significant negative relationship
  between a childs percent fat intake and the
  number of family visits with WIC High-Risk
  dietitians.
• Breakfast cereal beans tortillas whole milk
  ground beef fruit juice and chicken drumsticks
  are foods commonly eaten by Hispanic toddlers.
• Fruit milk chicken and soups are common
  favorite foods of Hispanic toddlers.

Pearson Product Moment Coefficient of Correlations

• BMI and of total calories from fat r -.028
• BMI and of total calories from carbohydrate r
  -.014
• BMI and of total calories from protein r
  .071
• BMI and Fat Score r .225
• Visits with the WIC dietitian and of total
  calories

from fat r -.20
Significant at the 0.05 level 2-tailed
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