In July 2018 researchers from Brazil published the results of their study to assess the association between calcium intake and cardiometabolic risk factors during childhood. 350 children, aged between 8-9 years, were included in the study and dietary information was collected via three 24-hour recall interviews. Results showed that 97.4% of children had an inadequate intake of calcium. Analysis revealed that those with a lower calcium intake had an increased waist circumference and higher levels of inflammatory markers. However, they also had lower levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol.
Suhett LG et al. Inverse association of calcium intake with abdominal adiposity and C-reactive protein in Brazilian children. Public Health Nutr. 2018 Jul;21(10):1912-1920