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Daily variation in food intake of infants from 2 to 18 months
Insights
Energy intake variation in infants increases as solids are introduced, nearing adult levels by 18 months. This study highlights individual differences in energy intake variability for infants and adults.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Human Physiology
- Pediatric Nutrition
Background:
- Understanding day-to-day energy intake variation is crucial for accurate dietary assessments in infants.
- Previous research has not fully characterized the developmental trajectory of energy intake variability from infancy through early childhood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the day-to-day variation in energy intake in breast-fed and weaned infants.
- To compare energy intake variability across different age groups and feeding statuses.
- To inform the design of dietary surveys by determining the number of records needed for reliable group assessments.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study involving 4-day diet records at monthly intervals from 6 weeks to 7.5 months for breast-fed infants (n=48).
- Cross-sectional study at 10, 12, 15, and 18 months for fully weaned infants (n=37).
- Calculation of pooled within-subject (CVw) and between-subject (CVb) coefficients of variation for energy intake.
Main Results:
- Energy intake variation was low in fully breast-fed infants, increasing with the introduction of solids.
- By 18 months, energy intake variability approached adult levels, with CVw values rising significantly with age.
- Substantial individual differences in variability were observed, with wide ranges in CVw at different ages.
Conclusions:
- Infant energy intake variability follows a developmental pattern, increasing as dietary complexity grows.
- Dietary survey planning requires consideration of age-specific variability and the number of records needed for accurate group-level estimations.
- Acknowledging individual variability is essential for robust nutritional research in pediatric populations.
Abstract:
This paper examines the day to day variation in energy intake of 48 breast-fed infants studied by 4-day diet records at monthly intervals from 6 weeks to 7 1/2 months and of 37 fully weaned infants studied at 10, 12, 15 and 18 months. Variation was low in the fully breast-fed infants, increased as solids were introduced, and at 18 months, approached values found for adults. Pooled within-subject coefficient of variation (CVw) at 1-3, 3-5, 5-7, 10 + 12, and 15 + 18 months was 10.6, 10.6, 12.0, 13.6, 18.1 per cent. Between-subject coefficient of variation (CVb) was 20.1, 19.3, 16.9, 19.4 and 23.3 per cent at these ages. Some individuals were more variable than others; the range of CVw at each age was wide; at 2-4 and 15-18 months it was 1-21 and 6-30 per cent respectively. The number of daily records needed to assess energy intake of groups of individuals with a specified degree of confidence is discussed together with implications for the planning of dietary surveys.