Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-jkksz Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-24T08:47:22.089Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

What sort of teenager has low intakes of energy nutrients?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 July 2007

David R. Woodward
Affiliation:
Biochemistry Department, University of Tasmania, G.P.O. BOX 252C, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

1. An alternative statistical technique, based on analysis of the 25th percentile, was used to examine teenagers' diets. The technique was developed to identify personal characteristics that affected the prevalence of low energy and nutrient intakes. It provided useful information not obtainable from methods based on average intakes.

2. The study sample was a representative sample of 1055 high-school students in Tasmania, Australia, aged 11–16 years.

3. Among girls, different characteristics had the greatest influence on the prevalence of low intakes (‘low’ being defined as below the 25th percentile for girls). Fatness had the greatest influence for several dietary components. Fatter girls were more likely to have low intakes of energy, carbohydrate, iron, calcium and niacin-equivalent, and also of ‘empty-energy’ foods. School type had the greatest influence for fat, riboflavin and vitamin A. Exercise had the greatest influence for protein, low intakes being more usual among the least active girls.

4. Among boys, height and age generally had the greatest influence on the prevalence of low intakes (‘low’ being defined as below the 25th percentile for boys). Taller and older boys were less likely to have low intakes. This was attributed partly to increased physiological needs, but peer-group influences appeared more important in relation to food choices. Thiamin was unusual, in that recent use of analgesics had the greatest influence on the prevalence of low intakes.

Type
Papers of direct relevance to Clinical and Human Nutrition
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 1985

References

Australian Bureau of Statistics (1983). Apparent Consumption of Food and Nutrients, Australia 1981–1982 Canberra: Australian Bureau of Statistics.Google Scholar
Beaton, G. H., Milner, J., McGuire, V., Feather, T. E. & Little, J. A. (1983). American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 37, 986995.Google Scholar
Conover, W. J. (1971). Practical Non-parametric Statistics, pp.167172. New York: Wiley.Google Scholar
Cook, J., Altman, D. G., Moore, D. M. C., Topp, S. G. & Holland, W. W. (1973). British Journal of Preventive and Social Medicine 27, 9199.Google Scholar
Darke, S. J., Disselduff, M. M. & Try, G. P. (1980). British Journal of Nutrition 44, 243252.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hitchcock, N. E. & Gracey, M. (1980). Food and Nutrition Notes and Reviews 37, 115121.Google Scholar
National Health and Medical Research Council (1971). Dietary Allowances for Use in Australia. Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service.Google Scholar
Ohlson, M. A. & Harper, L. J. (1976). Journal of the American Dietetic Association 69, 626631.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Palmer, S. & Bakshi, K. (1983). Journal of the National Cancer Institute 70, 11511170.Google Scholar
Samuelson, G. (1971). Acta Paediatrica Scandinavica 214 (Supplement), 544.Google Scholar
Samuelson, G., Grahnén, H. & Arvidsson, E. (1971). American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 34, 13611373.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
United States National Center for Health Statistics (1979). Dietary Intake Source Data 1971–1974. Hyattsville, Md.: US Department of Health, Education and Welfare.Google Scholar
van Schaik, T. F. S. M. & Kenter, H. A. (1973). Voeding 33, 577604.Google Scholar
Woodward, D. R. (1984). British Journal of Nutrition 52, 2132.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Woodward, D. R., Lynch, P. P., Waters, M. J., Maclean, A. R., Ruddock, W. E., Rataj, J. W. & Lemoh, J. N. (1981). Australian Paediatric Journal 17, 196201.Google Scholar