Changes in calcium intake and association with beverage consumption and demographics: comparing data from CSFII 1994-1996, 1998 and NHANES 1999-2002.

BACKGROUND: Consumption of soft drinks has been hypothesized to be negatively associated with calcium intake. However, fortification of some foods and beverages may have affected calcium intake.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine changes in calcium intake and the association of milk consumption with key beverage consumption and demographic variables using the most current data available.

DESIGN: Several techniques were used to describe how age, gender, race/ethnicity, and beverage consumption were associated with milk and calcium intake using the Continuing Survey of Food Intake by Individuals 1994-1996, 1998 (CSFII) and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2002 (NHANES). Using bivariate and multivariate regression analyses, we examined the independent relationships of total non-beverage energy intake, fluid milk consumption, non-milk beverage consumption, and demographics with calcium intake.

RESULTS: During the time period between CSFII and NHANES, milk consumption decreased and RCSD consumption increased among children 6-11 y. Calcium intake was unaffected. Among other age categories, milk consumption either did not change or increased (females 40-59 y), while RCSD consumption increased. Calcium intake either did not change or increased in most age-gender categories, including adolescent females. Fluid milk consumption exhibited the strongest association with calcium intake. Fruit juice consumption was also positively associated with calcium intake in most age-gender categories. Consumption of other beverages, including RCSD, had little or no association with calcium intake.

CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of low-fat milk should be encouraged, but calcium fortification of certain foods and beverages and calcium supplementation may be needed to further increase calcium intake.