Teens who Eat a Low-Fiber Diet May be at a Higher Risk for Heart Disease, Diabetes

The findings of a recent study indicate that teens who consume a low-fiber diet have a higher risk of developing heart disease and diabetes.

For the study, a team of researchers looked at 559 teenagers, 14 to 18 years of age, in Augusta, Ga., and found that their average fiber intake is approximately one-third of the recommended amount of daily consumption.

Teens who did not consume sufficient amounts of fiber were more likely to have larger bellies and higher levels of inflammatory factors in their blood. According to researchers at the Georgia Health Sciences University, both these conditions act as principal risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Although the study discovered a link between intake of low-fiber diets and teens having these risk factors, it did not establish a cause-and-effect association.

In addition, the researchers found an association between a low dietary intake of fiber and higher levels of overall body fat in females, but not in males. The study was published in the June 1 issue of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.

In a news release issued by the university, study co-first author Dr. Norman Pollock said the plain message is that there is a need for teenagers to increase their consumption of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. “We need to push recommendations to increase fiber intake,” added Pollock, who’s also a bone biologist.

High-fiber foods and their side effects

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, foods rich in fiber include grain, cereals, legumes, as well as certain fruits and vegetables (when they’re not overcooked).

The researchers said that at a time when approximately one-third of teens in the United States are either overweight or obese, it is especially necessary to have a better understanding of the associations and risks of diet, lack of physical activity and obesity in kids and adolescents.

Nevertheless, the researchers noted that urging teenagers to increase their intake of fiber-rich foods can be hard since they go for processed foods, plus the fact that increased fiber consumption can lead to side effects, such as intestinal gas, bloating and diarrhea.

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