A new childhood obesity study published online ahead of print in the Journal of Nutrition attempted to determine if diet quality was linked to body weight and other weight indicators in 1,700 British school children[1]. Diet quality was assessed using three different diet quality index scores, the Diet Quality Index, the Healthy Diet Indicator, and the Mediterranean Diet Score. To analyze the possible link between diet quality and weight status, body weight, waist size, body mass index, and body fat were measured in the children. The results of this analysis showed that: Both the Diet Quality Index and the Healthy Diet Indicator scores were linked with improved weight status - children with the highest diet quality had a 2.5-3% smaller waist size and about a 5% lower body fat compared to children with the worst diet quality. Higher Diet Quality Index scores were also linked to lower body weights and a lower body mass index. The Mediterranean Diet Score was not linked to childhood weight status in this study. This is an interesting study that suggests overall diet quality is an important predictor of children's weight status. Making sure that our children eat an overall healthy diet appears to make it easier for them to maintain a healthier body weight, waist size, and body mass index. While this is not likely to be surprising, it is important to keep in mind when deciding what foods, snacks, and beverages we allow our children to eat on a regular basis. While the occasional less-than-healthy treat might be permissible from time to time, it is important that we remember to keep them what they are, special treats, and not necessarily part of their regular diet.
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Numerous studies have explored the issues surrounding childhood obesity, particularly in regards to things like amount of screen time, physical activity, and specific nutrient intakes. However, the impact of overall diet quality on childhood body weight appears to be less well studied.
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