[Energy and nutrient supply during childhood. II. Protein supply (author's transl)]

The protein supply of 2--14 year old children in their families is reported. The food intake was measured with the precise weighing method. The protein intake amounts to 38 +/- 7 g/day (2.3 g/kg/day) for the 2--3 year old boys, 69 +/- 10 g/day (1.8 g/kg/day) for the 12--14 year old boys. The protein intake of girls, absolute and per kg bodyweight, averages 10% less. Protein constitutes 11--12% of the energy supply, 2/3 originating from animal foodstuffs, 1/3 from vegetable foodstuffs. Milk and dairy products have a proportion of 34--41%, meat and meat products of 20%. The protein distribution among the different meals is shown. After 25 days almost all the children reach their mean value for their individual protein intake with a standard error of +/- 5%. In each age group 54--59% of the children differ in their mean protein intake from each other. The protein supply recommended for a certain age group should not be obligatory for the individual child. The protein supply of the various age groups and of the individual child is discussed.