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

ObjectivesTo 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 designCombined 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.ResultsMean 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.ConclusionsOverall 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.