Glycemic index and its relationship to adiposity as measured by body mass index in 2 through 4-year-old children enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC)

The relationships of diet quality, food choice and consumption patterns to obesity are not well known, particularly in young children. A high glycemic index diet (GI > 70) has recently been associated with overeating, but its association with obesity is unclear. This study sought to ascertain the association between exposure to a high glycemic index diet and obesity in low-income, at-risk preschool children as measured by body mass index (BMI). A cross-sectional study of children enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) in 14 centers in Otsego and Schoharie Counties of New York State was conducted.; One hundred and fifty-four children, ages 2 through 4-years-old and their primary caregivers participated. Children's height was measured to the nearest 0.1 cm. using a Harpenden stadiometer and weight was measured with a standard balance beam scale to the nearest 0.25 pound. Age- and sex-specific percentiles for BMI were used to determine weight classification for each child. Dietary intakes were calculated using the Minnesota Nutrient Data System based on a 24-hour dietary recall and six days of diet records for each child.; This research establishes the ability to calculate the glycemic index value of the diet in a free-living population. Children with the highest quartile glycemic index scores (GI > 56) had a significantly higher mean fat intake and lower percent protein intake when compared to children with the lowest glycemic index scores (GI < 44). The mean GI for 3 year-olds was significantly higher compared to the mean GI for 2 year-olds. No significant association was found between BMI and the 7-day mean GI of the diet. The mean GI of the children's diets was low (M = 50.4). No other significant correlation with dietary variables typically associated with overweight and obesity was found.; Studies are needed to better understand if age-related increases in GI occur and whether other populations of young children consume a low-GI diet. Further research is needed to explore if a high glycemic index diet is associated with obesity and which dietary variables may serve as markers for obesity in young children.