Overall and meal-specific macronutrient intake in Belgian primary school children

In the fall of 1991, dietary intake of 1,321 primary school children aged 6-12 years was studied in 79 schools in an area called 'South Campine' in Flanders-the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium. Assessment of dietary intake was done using the '24-hour estimated food record method'. The energy distribution over the macronutrients showed no significant difference between boys and girls. On average 37.2% (SD 7.88%) of energy came from total fat and 15.4% (SD 3.70%) from saturated fatty acids; 49.0% (SD 7.87%) from total carbohydrates with 21.8% (SD 5.84%) from complex carbohydrates and 27.7% (SD 7.79%) from free sugars. Snacks accounted for on average 19.5% (SD 10.83%) of total energy intake; on average 55.7% (SD 21.22%) of the energy in these snacks was represented by free sugars. Lunch and dinner had very high fat contents (around 40% of energy). Already at this young age, the dietary pattern is deviating strongly from the recommended population nutrient goals.