[Obesity in children. III. Feeding pattern in relation to the possible development of obesity]

It appears from literature that obesity among breastfed infants is less prevalent than among over bottle fed infants. There is conflicting understanding as to a significant contribution of infant food habits to lasting obesity. Attention for prudent food intake seems to be particularly indicated when one of the parents or both are obese. Too early introduction of solids in addition to milk formula does probably not contribute too much to infants overfeeding, but enlarges the risk for early manifestation of allergies or coeliac disease and for restricted iron absorption. The food pattern of toddlers and schoolchildren in the Netherlands is characterized by an over validation of the health promoting significance of animal protein rich products. This may contribute to the consumption of excess saturated fatty acids and relatively little dietary fibre. Both relatively fatty food and little dietary fibre as well as over consumption of milky products and sugar in soft drinks or lemonade can easily enhance the development of obesity in young children. Protein consumption of 2.5 grams per kg BW, two thirds of which is from animal source, is repeatedly noted, whereas 1 à 1.5 grams of mixed protein per kg BW can be considered adequate for healthy toddlers and young school age children to guarantee normal growth and development. In addition to the traditional three main meals, it appears that 8 year olds in the Netherlands consume 20 pct of the total amount of energy intake in the form of in-between-meal snacks, which may also contribute to the possible development of obesity.