Dietary behaviors related to cancer prevention among pre-adolescents and adolescents: the gap between recommendations and reality
2011

Dietary Behaviors and Cancer Prevention in Youth

Sample size: 16410 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Dawn M. Holman, Mary C. White

Primary Institution: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Hypothesis

What are the dietary behaviors of U.S. youth ages 8-18 in relation to cancer prevention recommendations?

Conclusion

There is a significant gap between dietary recommendations for cancer prevention and the actual eating habits of young people in the U.S.

Supporting Evidence

  • Only 6.2% of adolescents met fruit consumption recommendations.
  • Only 2.2% of adolescents met vegetable consumption recommendations.
  • 22.3% of high school students ate fruits and vegetables five or more times per day.

Takeaway

Kids are not eating enough fruits and vegetables, which are important for preventing cancer, and they are eating too many sugary and salty foods.

Methodology

The study assessed dietary consumption patterns among youth using published statistics from national surveys.

Potential Biases

Self-reported data can lead to inaccuracies in dietary assessments.

Limitations

The reliance on self-reported dietary intake data may introduce bias and error.

Participant Demographics

U.S. youth ages 8-18.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1475-2891-10-60

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