Journal article
Nutrient intake of Swiss toddlers.
- Brunner TA School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, Food Science and Management, Bern University of Applied Sciences, Länggasse 85, 3052, Zollikofen, Switzerland. thomas.brunner@bfh.ch.
- Casetti L School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, Food Science and Management, Bern University of Applied Sciences, Länggasse 85, 3052, Zollikofen, Switzerland.
- Haueter P School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, Food Science and Management, Bern University of Applied Sciences, Länggasse 85, 3052, Zollikofen, Switzerland.
- Müller P Paediatric Gastroenterology, Children's Hospital of Eastern Switzerland, St. Gallen, Switzerland.
- Nydegger A Paediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Paediatrics, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Spalinger J Paediatric Gastroenterology, Children's Hospital, Lucerne, Switzerland.
- 2017-08-17
Published in:
- European journal of nutrition. - 2018
Energy intake
Nutrient intake
Protein intake
Recommended dietary intake
Toddlers
Child, Preschool
Diet
Dietary Fats
Dietary Proteins
Energy Intake
Europe
Female
Humans
Infant
Male
Micronutrients
Nutritional Requirements
Recommended Dietary Allowances
English
PURPOSE
During the first years of life, food preferences are shaped that might last throughout a person's entire life affecting his/her health in the long term. However, knowledge on early feeding habits is still limited for toddlers. Therefore, the goal of the present study was to: (1) assess toddlers' nutrient intake; (2) compare the findings to past studies as well as to national feeding recommendations and (3) identify major food sources for energy and macronutrients.
METHODS
A food survey using a 4-day diary was conducted. The dietary software nut.s® was used to analyse the data.
RESULTS
A cohort of 188 healthy toddlers (aged 1-3 years) was analysed. The energy intake of most toddlers was below the recommended daily intake (RDI) but in accordance with earlier studies. Protein intake was three- to fourfold higher than the RDI and reached the proposed upper limit of 15% of total energy intake. Fat intake was in accordance with the RDI, but the balance of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids should be improved. Carbohydrate intake met the RDI. For the micronutrients, iron and vitamin D intakes showed critical values.
CONCLUSION
As in other European countries, the diet of Swiss toddlers in general seems adequate but does not meet all nutritional requirements. In particular, the quality of the fats and vitamin D supplementation should be improved. For proteins and iron, additional research is needed to gain more confidence in the recommendations.
During the first years of life, food preferences are shaped that might last throughout a person's entire life affecting his/her health in the long term. However, knowledge on early feeding habits is still limited for toddlers. Therefore, the goal of the present study was to: (1) assess toddlers' nutrient intake; (2) compare the findings to past studies as well as to national feeding recommendations and (3) identify major food sources for energy and macronutrients.
METHODS
A food survey using a 4-day diary was conducted. The dietary software nut.s® was used to analyse the data.
RESULTS
A cohort of 188 healthy toddlers (aged 1-3 years) was analysed. The energy intake of most toddlers was below the recommended daily intake (RDI) but in accordance with earlier studies. Protein intake was three- to fourfold higher than the RDI and reached the proposed upper limit of 15% of total energy intake. Fat intake was in accordance with the RDI, but the balance of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids should be improved. Carbohydrate intake met the RDI. For the micronutrients, iron and vitamin D intakes showed critical values.
CONCLUSION
As in other European countries, the diet of Swiss toddlers in general seems adequate but does not meet all nutritional requirements. In particular, the quality of the fats and vitamin D supplementation should be improved. For proteins and iron, additional research is needed to gain more confidence in the recommendations.
- Language
-
- English
- Open access status
- closed
- Identifiers
-
- DOI 10.1007/s00394-017-1521-0
- PMID 28812189
- Persistent URL
- https://sonar.ch/global/documents/266352
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