Dietary studies of children from a biracial population: intakes of carbohydrate and fiber in 10- and 13-year-olds.

Dietary intakes of carbohydrate (CHO) and fiber were examined in children randomly selected from a biracial community-Bogalusa, LA. Intakes of CHO per 1,000 kcal were similar for both sexes and both races at ages 10 and 13 years. No group or race differences were found for nine components assessed in two cohorts of 10-year-old children examined three years apart. There were sex differences in sucrose (boys less than girls) and lactose (boys greater than girls) intakes. Comparison of 10- and 13-year-olds examined in 1976 showed a racial difference in fiber and starch intakes (black greater than white). Longitudinal comparisons of a cohort of 148 children examined at both 10 and 13 years showed lower lactose intakes over time. At both ages starch, fiber, and glucose intakes per 1,000 kcal were higher in black children, with higher sucrose/starch ratios in white children. The percent of calories from CHO and sugars was higher in Bogalusa children than values for US adults, but starch intakes were lower. None of the children's intakes was compatible with prudent dietary recommendations. Dietary CHO patterns of Bogalusa children reflect food market trends of increased use of simple CHO and decreased use of complex CHO.