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Diets of healthy Swedish children 4-24 months old. II. Energy intake
Insights
Infant energy intake was below recommended levels across all studied ages. Fat intake was low in some 9-month-olds, while sucrose contributed significantly to energy by 24 months.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Infant Dietary Habits
- Nutritional Epidemiology
Background:
- Adequate nutrition is crucial for infant growth and development.
- Understanding infant dietary patterns informs public health recommendations.
- Previous research indicates potential nutritional shortfalls in early childhood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the energy, fat, and sucrose intake of infants at 4, 9, 15, and 24 months.
- To compare infant nutrient intake with Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs).
- To identify potential nutritional concerns in infant diets.
Main Methods:
- A semi-longitudinal study design involving 81 infants.
- Food intake recorded over 3 days at 4 months and 7 days at 9, 15, and 24 months.
- Analysis of energy, fat, and sucrose contributions to total intake.
Main Results:
- Median energy intake was below RDAs for all age groups studied.
- A subset of 9-month-old infants exhibited low energy intake from fat.
- Sucrose accounted for up to 10% of energy intake by 24 months.
Conclusions:
- Infants in this cohort frequently had insufficient energy intake.
- Dietary fat intake may be suboptimal in some infants around 9 months.
- Increasing sucrose consumption in later infancy warrants attention for potential health implications.
Abstract:
In a semi-longitudinal investigation comprising a total of 81 infants studied at one or more of the ages 4, 9, 15 and 24 months, the food intake was recorded on three consecutive days at 4 months and on seven consecutive days at 9, 15 and 24 months (40, 40, 38 and 40 infants, respectively in the four age groups). The median energy intake was lower than the Recommend Dietary Allowances in all age groups. The energy intake derived from fat was low among some of the 9-month-old infants. The contribution of sucrose to energy was as high as 10% at 24 months.