Beverage choices affect adequacy of children's nutrient intakes

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between beverage choices and the adequacy of nutrient intakes among children and adolescents. DESIGN: Beverages reported in 24-hour recall records were classified as milk, 100% juice, fruit-flavored drinks, or carbonated sodas. Recommended intakes were based on Recommended Dietary Allowances or Dietary Reference Intakes. PARTICIPANTS: Four thousand seventy children aged 2 to 5, 6 to 11, and 12 to 17 years participating in the 1994-96 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The likelihood of achieving recommended intakes of selected nutrients on the day of recall was assessed with multiple logistic regression including ounces of milk, juice, fruit-flavored drinks, and carbonated sodas in the model while controlling for sex, age in years, race/ethnic group, household income, and total energy intake. RESULTS: Milk consumption was positively (P<.0001) associated with the likelihood of achieving recommended vitamin A, folate, vitamin B(12), calcium, and magnesium intakes in all age strata. Juice consumption was positively (P< or =. 001) associated with achieving recommended vitamin C and folate intakes in all age strata and magnesium intakes among children aged 6 years and older. Carbonated soda consumption was negatively (P< or =. 01) associated with achieving vitamin A intake in all age strata, calcium in children younger than 12 years, and magnesium in children aged 6 years and older. CONCLUSION: Beverage choice can have a significant effect on the nutrient adequacy of the diets of children and adolescents.