Calcium intake in youth: sex, age, and racial differences in NHANES II.

METHODS. Data from the NHANES II survey were used to determine whether the calcium intake of children ages 3-18 met the minimum recommended daily allowance. In addition, the impact of age, race, sex, and socioeconomic status on calcium intake and the density of calcium intake was explored. RESULTS. The results indicated significant differences between groups of children based on age, sex, and race (P less than 0.05). Males across all age groups (3-5, 6-7, 8-10, 11-12, 13-18) had a higher calcium intake than females. In addition, calcium intake levels among males always met or exceeded the minimum RDA. Levels among all blacks started below the minimum RDA in the age group 3-5. During the adolescent years, calcium intake again fell below the RDA for black males and for females of both races, with the calcium intake of the adolescent females resembling that of the group ages 3-5. In a multiple regression model sex, age, race, and total energy intake predicted 49% (P less than 0.0001) of the variance in calcium intake. Socioeconomic status (using parents' reported income) was not a significant predictor. Another regression model was used to examine the relationship among age, race, sex, and socioeconomic status and its effect on the density of calcium intake (mg/kcal). While the overall model was significant (P less than 0.0001) it accounted for only 3.5% of the variance. CONCLUSION. Age, sex, and race of the child significantly predicted the density of calcium (P less than 0.05); however, parents' gross income did not (P less than 0.81), indicating that income level does not contribute to explaining these differences.