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The energy and nutrient intake of a random sample (305) of infants
Insights
This study measured the dietary intake of 305 children in Glasgow. Energy and protein intakes were below recommended levels, but no malnutrition was found.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Public Health
Background:
- Dietary intake is crucial for child development, especially in economically deprived areas.
- Understanding nutrient consumption patterns in young children informs public health interventions.
- Socioeconomic factors can significantly influence dietary habits and nutritional status.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the energy and nutrient intake of young children in a deprived urban area.
- To investigate the relationship between socioeconomic status and dietary intake.
- To examine the influence of body composition on energy consumption in children.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 305 children (3 months to 2 years) in Glasgow was studied.
- Food intake was meticulously measured by weighing all food and drink consumed over 5 consecutive days.
- Participants were randomly selected from birth registers to ensure representation across social groups.
Main Results:
- Males exhibited higher energy intakes than females.
- Energy and protein intakes were generally lower than recommended dietary allowances.
- No overt signs of malnutrition were detected despite lower-than-recommended intakes.
- Breast-feeding prevalence varied across social groups.
- Potential implications for calcium and iron intake were noted.
Conclusions:
- While energy and protein intake may be suboptimal, overt malnutrition was not evident in this cohort.
- Socioeconomic status showed minimal impact on overall intake, with higher social groups consuming less.
- Further investigation into calcium and iron intake is warranted.
- Body composition (fatness and fat-free mass) influences energy intake in young children.
Abstract:
The intake of energy and nutrients in the diets of 305 children between 3 months and 2 yr of age has been measured. The children lived in Glasgow, an economically deprived area of the UK, and were randomly selected from birth registers to represent the different social groups in the community. Food intake was measured by weighing each item of food or drink taken by each individual during 5 consecutive d. The energy intakes showed males to have higher intakes then females. There was almost no variation due to social group, except that the most-favoured groups had the lowest intakes, although this was significant only in the females below 1 yr of age. The influence of fatness and fat-free mass on energy intake is described. The intakes of energy and protein were lower than the recommended amounts but no evidence of malnutrition was detected. Prevalence of breast-feeding in the different social groups is shown. Findings of possibly some importance in relation to calcium and iron are described.