Determination of the relationship between diet acidities, diet quality indexes and anthropometric measurements in healthy school-age children and adolescents (6-18 years)

This study was conducted to determine the relationship between diet acidity and diet quality, anthropometric measurements in school-age children and adolescents. A total of 213 students (51.2% girl, 48.8% boy, mean age 10.9±3.4 years) participated from 3 different schools in Pursaklar district of Ankara province. Anthropometric measurements were evaluated using z-scores for BMI-for-age, height-for-age and weight-for-age. Diet quality was calculated by the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (KIDMED). To determine the acidity of the diet, the potential renal acid load (PRAL) score was calculated. Mean z-scores of Body Mass Index (BMI)-for-age, height-for-age and weight-for-age were found as 0.7±1.1, 0.4±0.9, and 0.8±1.3, respectively. Boys' z-scores of BMI-for-age were significantly higher than girls (p<0.01). Mean KIDMED score of the students was 5.2±2.4. There was a significant negative correlation between age and KIDMED score (r=-0.225, p<0.01). The mean PRAL score was found as 12.9±16.2 mEq/day. PRAL scores of boys (14.7±15.2 mEq/day) were higher than girls' (11.1±16.9 mEq/day). However, the difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Children with low quality, mid-quality and optimal-quality diet were found to be 12,2±14,9, 12,4±16,2 and 16,1±18,0, respectively, and they are similar. There was no correlation between PRAL and age, KIDMED score, z-score of BMI. In conclusion, there was no relationship between dietary acidity and dietary quality, anthropometric measurements. Further extensive studies on diet acidity is needed. Keywords: Alkali diet, diet acid load, PRAL, KIDMED index