The association of long-term calcium and dairy products intake in adolescence with carotid intima media thickness and metabolic syndrome in early adulthood: Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study

BACKGROUND: Calcium could impact on vascular functions and structures and cause atherosclerosis. Thus, we aimed to examine the association of long-term calcium and dairy products intake in adolescence with cIMT and MetS in early adulthood. METHODS: We considered 217 adolescents aged 12–18 years in the frame work of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (2006–2009) and follow-up them to early adulthood (2015–2017). The valid food frequency questionnaire was used to assess dietary intake. Ultrasound examination was used to measure common carotid artery. The joint interim statement and cook et al. criteria were used for adults and adolescents to consider MetS, respectively. RESULTS: Adolescents’ average calcium intake from dairy and non-dairy sources were 395 mg/d and 1088 mg/d, respectively while adults had 212 mg/d and 1191 mg/d. In addition, the mean of cIMT in adults was 0.54 mm. There was no relationship of non-dairy (β: − 0.03; P = 0.804), and total calcium (β: − 0.001; P = 0.591) intake with cIMT and TG. None of the dairy products had link with cIMT, MetS and its components, except cream with cIMT after full adjustment of potential confounders (β: 0.245; P = 0.009). Also, we found that the intake of non-dairy products could increase DBP after controlling for potential confounders (β: 0.365; P = 0.012). Adolescence with higher quartiles of total calcium intake had no odds ratio of MetS in early adulthood (β: 2.05, P = 0.371). CONCLUSIONS: Adolescence calcium and dairy products intake, with the exception of cream did not increase early adulthood cIMT and MetS and its components. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12986-023-00725-4.