Relationship between Whole Grain and Fiber Consumption and Body Weight Measures among 6-to 18-Year-Olds

Objectives To examine the relationship between whole grain and fiber consumption and body weight measures in children 6 to 12 (n = 3868) and adolescents 13 to 18 (n = 4931) years old. Study design Combined 1999 to 2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data were analyzed. Mean body mass index (BMI), BMI percentile, BMI z-score, waist circumference, and prevalence of overweight/obesity were compared across categories of whole grain consumption (0 to <0.6, >= 0.6 to <1.5, >= 1.5 to <3, and >= 3 servings) with (1) a sex, ethnicity, and total energy intake-adjusted model and (2) a cereal fiber plus model 1 covariates profile. Results Mean whole grain intake was 0.59 and 0.63 servings/d among children 6 to 12 years and adolescents 13 to 18 years, respectively. In children, consumption of >= 3 servings of whole grain was not associated with body weight measures; however, consumption of 1.5 to <3 servings was positively associated with all weight measures. In adolescents, BMI z-score was significantly lower in the highest whole grain consumption group compared with the lowest 2 groups; BMI percentile and waist circumference (model 1 only) were also significantly lower in the highest whole grain consumption group. Conclusions Overall consumption of whole grain was below current recommendations of at least 3 servings per day. Only in adolescents was this level of whole grain intake associated with lower BMI z-scores. (J Pediatr 2010; 157:578-83).