Dietary intake in Swedish diabetic children

The energy and nutrient intakes by 14 children with type I diabetes and 13 healthy peers were investigated by the 24-h recall method and the results were compared with current recommendations for the general population and with the guidelines for the dietary management of diabetes mellitus. The diabetic children showed not only good compliance with the recommendations but also a better intake in practically all respects than their healthy counterparts. The total energy intake by the diabetic children was in good agreement with the recommendations, while that of the controls was slightly lower. The protein energy per cent in the diet of the diabetic children was 18%, compared with 14% in the controls. Forty percent of the energy in the diet of the diabetic children was derived from fats, 36% in the controls. With the exception of carbohydrates, ascorbic acid and iron, the diet of the diabetic children had a higher nutrient density than that of the control children and the reverse was true for carbohydrates only. However, because of the generally higher energy intake displayed by the diabetic children, even the intake of these nutrients was at least as good in the diabetic children as in the controls. Eighty-six percent of the diabetic children but only 46% of the control children stated that the day for which intake data were given was a representative day.