TITLE:
Calcium Intake in Relation to Body Mass Index and Fatness in Thai School-Aged Children
AUTHORS:
Uruwan Yamborisut, Wanphen Wimonpeerapattana, Nipa Rojroongwasinkul, Atitada Boonpraderm, Sayamon Senaprom, Wiyada Thasanasuwan, Ilse Khouw, Paul Deurenberg
KEYWORDS:
Thai Children, Calcium Intake, Milk, Skinfold Thickness, Body Mass Index
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Pediatrics,
Vol.5 No.2,
May
6,
2015
ABSTRACT:
An emerging evidence suggests that
dietary calcium may play a role in the regulation of body weight in humans. This
study examined the relationship of calcium intake with body mass index and body
fatness in Thai children. Methods: A cross-sectional study in 1570, 6 - 12
year-old children were conducted in representative provinces of Thailand. Body
weight, height, sitting height and 4 sites skinfolds thickness were measured as
well as the dietary intake using a 24 h recall and a food frequency
questionnaire (FFQ). General linear model (GLM) analysis was used to determine
the effect of calcium intake on body mass index (BMI) and body fatness of
children. Results: There were no differences in parental education and family’s
socio-economic status between genders. Girls had significantly greater sitting
height (p= 0.035),
sitting height to height ratio (p=
0.014) and sum of four skinfold thickness (p= 0.001) than boys. Mean calcium
intake was lower in girls than in boys. GLM analysis demonstrated that lower
calcium intake among children was associated with higher body weight, BMI and
sum 4-skinfold thickness. Conclusion: Lower calcium intake is associated with
higher BMI and body fatness of Thai children. Further studies need to determine
the optimal calcium intake to prevent overweight and obesity in children.