Adolescents' Low-Carbohydrate-Density Diets Are Related to Poorer Dietary Intakes

This study was undertaken to assess how low-carbohydrate-density diets below the acceptable macronutrient distribution range relate to food and micronutrient intake and sociodemographic and health-related characteristics. The multistage stratified cluster design in the 1990 Ontario Health Survey was used. There were 5,194 subjects, 12 to 18 years of age, in sampled households. Dietary data were collected via a food frequency questionnaire. Low-carbohydrate-density diets were consumed by 27.6% of males and 24.1% of females. Low-carbohydrate-density diets were related (P<.05) to reduced sufficiency of vegetables and fruit and higher consumption of meat and alternatives and added fats. The low-carbohydrate-density diet resulted in intakes lower in vitamin C and fiber and higher in cholesterol and total fat. The low-carbohydrate-density diet was directly associated with being Canadian-born (odds ratio [OR]=1.78, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.27 to 2.50), overweight status (OR=1.27, 95% CI=1.02 to 1.57), smoking (OR=1.53, 95% CI=1.23 to 1.90), alcohol use (OR=1.46, 95% CI=1.21 to 1.75), and poorer self-rated health (OR=1.47, 95% CI=1.01 to 2.14). Use of the acceptable macronutrient distribution range identified adolescents with low-carbohydrate-density diets whose food choices and nutrient intake may impact negatively on short- and long-term health.