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Toddlers may be getting enough iron in long day-care services after all

Michaela Johnston1, Therese O'Sullivan1,2, Amanda Devine1,2

  • 1School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA, Australia.

Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics : the Official Journal of the British Dietetic Association
|May 5, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Toddlers in long-day care (LDC) services receive adequate dietary iron, meeting minimum recommendations. Research indicates sufficient bioavailable iron is provided, with future focus on optimizing food combinations for better absorption.

Area of Science:

  • Nutritional Science
  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Public Health Nutrition

Background:

  • Previous studies indicated potential iron inadequacy in toddlers attending long-day care (LDC).
  • Iron bioavailability in LDC settings remained largely unquantified.
  • This study addresses the need to assess iron provision and bioavailability for toddlers in LDC.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the amount and bioavailability of dietary iron provided to toddlers aged 2-3 years in LDC services.
  • To compare iron provision with established estimated average requirements (EAR) and LDC guidelines.
  • To identify key food sources contributing to iron provision.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional audit of 30 LDC services in Perth, Australia, using 2-day weighed food records.
  • Iron provision was assessed against EAR and LDC guidelines (50% of EAR = 2.0 mg/day).
  • Bioavailability was estimated using two algorithms considering haem/non-haem iron, enhancers (ascorbic acid, animal protein), and inhibitors (calcium, soy, eggs, phytates).

Main Results:

  • Median iron supplied (2.52 mg/day) exceeded the 50% EAR guideline (2.0 mg/day).
  • Median bioavailable iron was 0.6 mg/day (Rickard et al.) and 0.51 mg/day (Hallberg and Hulthen).
  • Bread, breakfast cereals, and beef were the primary sources of iron provision.

Conclusions:

  • LDC services in Perth meet the minimum iron provision recommendations.
  • Toddlers in these LDC services appear to receive sufficient bioavailable iron.
  • Future efforts should focus on enhancing iron bioavailability through strategic food pairings in LDC meals.
Abstract

Keywords:
Early Childhood Education and CareLong-day-care servicesbioavailabilitydietary ironirontoddlers

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