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Nutrient intakes and status of preschool children in Adelaide, South Australia
Shao J Zhou1, Robert A Gibson, Rosalind S Gibson
1Women's and Children's Health Research Institute, Adelaide, SA.
Insights
Preschool children
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Public Health Nutrition
- Dietary Assessment
Background:
- Assessing nutrient intake and status in preschool children is crucial for long-term health.
- Representative population data on preschooler diets are limited.
- Understanding dietary patterns informs public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the nutrient intakes and status of preschool children in Adelaide.
- To identify potential nutritional deficiencies or excesses in this age group.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional survey of 1-5 year olds using stratified random sampling.
- Dietary intake assessed via 3-day weighed food diaries.
- Anthropometrics, biomarkers (iron, zinc, vitamin B12), and fatty acid profiles were measured.
Main Results:
- Median energy intake met recommendations; macronutrient distribution was adequate.
- Low rates of inadequate iron, zinc, calcium, and vitamin C intake were observed.
- Few children met recommendations for n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (32%) and fiber (18%); 14% were obese.
Conclusions:
- Preschool children's diets were generally adequate in macronutrients and most micronutrients.
- Low fiber and n-3 fatty acid intake, alongside high saturated fat, raise long-term health concerns.
- Dietary patterns suggest potential risks for adverse health outcomes.
Objective:
To determine the nutrient intakes and status of preschool children from a representative population sample in Adelaide.
Design, Setting And Participants:
Cross-sectional survey of children aged 1-5 years, using a stratified random sampling method and a doorknocking strategy, between September 2005 and July 2007.
Main Outcome Measures:
Dietary intake, assessed using a 3-day weighed-food diary; anthropometrics, biomarkers of iron, zinc and vitamin B(12), and fatty acid profiles assessed using standard methods.
Results:
Median energy intakes were within dietary recommendations for the age group. Overall energy contributions from carbohydrate, protein, fat and saturated fat intakes were 50%, 17%, 33% and 16%, respectively. The rates of inadequate intake of iron, zinc, calcium and vitamin C were low, as was the prevalence of iron deficiency (5%). Only a minority of children achieved the adequate intake for n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (32%) and dietary fibre (18%). There was no association between socioeconomic status and intakes of macronutrients and key micronutrients. Fourteen per cent of children were obese (BMI, > 95th percentile); no association between BMI and energy intake was shown.
Conclusions:
The dietary intake of children in the study was adequate for macronutrients and the majority of micronutrients. However, low intakes of fibre and n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and high saturated fat intakes have raised concerns that this dietary pattern may be associated with adverse long-term health effects.
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