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Higher Longitudinal Milk Intakes Are Associated with Increased Height in a Birth Cohort Followed for 17 Years
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Higher Longitudinal Milk Intakes Are Associated with Increased Height in a Birth Cohort Followed for 17 Years

Teresa A Marshall, Alexandra M Curtis, Joseph E Cavanaugh, John J Warren and Steven M Levy
The Journal of nutrition, Vol.148(7), pp.1144-1149
07/01/2018
DOI: 10.1093/jn/nxy071
PMCID: PMC6669942
PMID: 29924327
url
https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/nxy071View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Height is an indicator of nutritional status; linear growth faltering has recognized consequences for cognitive, emotional, and chronic disease risk. Although height is routinely studied in developing countries, less attention is given to height in the United States. The objective of this study was to identify longitudinal associations between childhood and adolescent beverage intakes, nutrient adequacy, or energy intake and height in a birth cohort. Data for participants through ages 2-17 y (n = 717; 353 males, 364 females) recruited at birth for the longitudinal Iowa Fluoride Study (IFS) were used in the current cohort analyses. Beverage intakes (n = 708) were collected by beverage-frequency questionnaires at 3- to 6-mo intervals, whereas nutrient data (n = 652) were obtained from 3-d food diaries completed at 3- to 6-mo intervals through age 8.5 y and from Block Kids' food-frequency questionnaires at 2-y intervals after age 8.5 y. Nutrient adequacy ratios were calculated with the use of age- and sex-specific Estimated Average Requirements. Height was measured at clinic visits when the participants were approximately ages 5, 9, 11, 13, 15, and 17 y. Linear mixed models were used to identify longitudinal associations between dietary variables and height. A baseline model that adjusted for changing growth patterns during adolescence was established. Dietary and potential confounding variables were added to this baseline model. Milk intake adjusted for mean adequacy ratio, energy intake, and baseline socioeconomic status was associated with height; for each additional 8 ounces (236 mL) of milk consumed per day throughout childhood and adolescence, height increased, on average, by 0.39 cm (95% CI: 0.18, 0.60 cm; P < 0.001). IFS participants' height increased by 0.39 cm for each additional 8 ounces (236 mL) of milk consumed throughout childhood and adolescence. The clinical implications of the mild linear growth faltering observed in healthy youth are unknown. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as 199112665.
Diet Surveys Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena Humans Child, Preschool Diet Records Male Energy Intake Animals Diet Adolescent Body Height Female Child Cohort Studies Milk

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