@article{3051470,
    title = "Diet and chronic constipation in children: The role of fiber",
    author = "Roma, E and Adamidis, D and Nikolara, R and Constantopoulos, A and and Messaritakis, J",
    journal = "Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition,",
    year = "1999",
    volume = "28",
    number = "2",
    pages = "169-174",
    publisher = "Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins",
    issn = "0277-2116",
    doi = "10.1097/00005176-199902000-00015",
    keywords = "children; constipation; fiber; nutrition",
    abstract = "Background: Chronic constipation is one of the most common disorders in
Western countries and despite numerous clinical, pathophysiologic, and
epidemiologic studies its cause is still unclear. Several hypotheses
have been proposed and according to experimental studies and clinical
observation, fiber intake could play a role in its pathogenesis. The
purpose of this case-control study was to examine the possible
correlation of idiopathic chronic constipation in children and dietary
intake, particularly fiber intake.
Methods: A randomized sample of children (291 children with constipation
and 1602 controls) aged 2 to 14 years was taken from three of the 52
counties of Greece. Stratification was performed on the basis of urban,
rural, or suburban location and socioeconomic status. The nutritional
data were obtained from a 3-day dietary record and a dietary history.
Statistical analysis was performed with multivariate tests, multivariate
analysis of variance, discriminant analysis, and chi-square analysis
according to the characteristics of the correlated variables.
Results: Constipated children had a lower caloric and nutrient intake (p
< 0.001), lower body weight/height (p < 0.001), and higher prevalence of
reported anorexia (p < 0.001). Discriminant analysis indicated that
dietary fiber alone was independently negatively correlated with chronic
constipation, despite the age and the age of onset of constipation.
Relative risk also had a negative correlation with fiber intake (p <
0.001). Of the main fiber fractions only cellulose and pentose were
independently correlated with chronic constipation.
Conclusions: Lack of fiber may play an important role in the etiology of
chronic idiopathic constipation in children."
}