Energy and nutrient intake at age 6 and its relationship to body size and fatness

The values for macro- and micronutrients and food energy intake are reported from a sample of 154 healthy children aged 6 years who have been prospectively studied since birth. The daily food energy intake in absolute terms and adjusted for body mass was lower than reported previously, and lower than the current recommended daily intake (RDl) but consistent with values derived from predictive equations based on other studies of preschool children. The carbohydrate intake was similar, but the protein intake was slightly lower and the fat intake also less than that reported in previous studies of children of a similar age. Micronutrient intake was greater than the RDl for each. The intake of potassium was adequate, but that of sodium was high in relation to the recommended K:Na ratio of greater than 1, resulting in a value of 0.66. Stature was positively correlated with energy and fat intake, but there was an inverse correlation between fatness and energy intake, and intake of unrefined carbohydrate. These results are discussed in relation to the effect of different nutritional planes on growth rate.