[Daily calcium intake and body mass index in a group of Lebanese adolescents]

ABSTRACT

To investigate the relationship between daily calcium intake [DCI] and body mass index [BMI] in a group of Lebanese adolescents. 419 adolescents [219 boys and 169 girls] aged 13-18 years participated in our study. DCI was calculated using a validated questionnaire, and anthropometrical characteristics [weight and height] were measured. In this study, only 20% of the adolescents met the adequate DCI recommendation of 1300 mg/day. Boys had a significantly higher mean DCI than girls [1023 +/- 360 mg/d and 839 +/- 303 mg/d respectively for boys and girls; p < 0.001]. DCI was negatively related to BMI in boys [r = -0.15; p < 0.05] but not in girls. Obese boys had a significantly lower mean DCI than those whose BMI was normal [869 +/- 249 mg/d and 1043 +/- 373 mg/d respectively; p < 0.05]. In this study, 80% of the adolescents do not meet the DCI adequate intake. It seems important to encourage these adolescents to increase their DCI. Moreover, this study shows that DCI is inversely related to age in girls and to BMI in boys