Daily variation in food and nutrient intakes of Asian children in Sheffield

Weighed intake data from a 1 year cross-sectional nutritional survey of Indo-Asian children (4-40 months of age), in Sheffield, were analysed with respect to the day-to-day variability of energy and selected nutrient intakes. 117 children (i.e. 53% of those approached) completed studies; this figure approximates one-quarter of the estimated target population. The between- and within-subject variability in dietary intakes was examined according to age group. For energy, the between-subject variability, measured by the coefficient of variation between subjects (CVb) rose from 26% at 4- < 12 months to 36% in the 12- < 24 month group. Within subject variation (CVw) for energy varied little between age groups (23-29%). Within-subject variability in protein and fat intakes showed a similar pattern to that of energy. However, the CVb for protein was maximal in the youngest group; it was lower than the CVw in the over 24 month group. Iron and vitamin C intakes were subject to much higher levels of within- and between-subject variation; the CVb for iron was maximal in the 12- < 24m group. Although the within-person variation was demonstrably greater than that of Caucasian infants (A. E. Black et al., 1983, Hum. Nutr.: Appl. Nutr. 37A, 448-458), the between-person variation, as measured over a 1 year period, was also high and comparatively larger than the CVw.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)