Dietary intake in 6-year-old children from southern Poland: part 1 - energy and macronutrient intakes

Abstract

BackgroundThe studies on dietary intake in Polish children are sparse and the information about dietary intake in 6-year-olds in Europe is limited. The published studies on dietary intake in children rarely provide information on the intake of animal protein, plant protein and water. The purpose of the study was to analyse energy and macronutrient intakes in 6-year-old children from southern Poland.MethodsThe studied population comprised 120 children, 64 girls and 56 boys. Energy and macronutrient intakes were estimated from a three-day food record. Weight and height were measured, and body mass index was calculated.ResultsIntakes of energy (kJ, kcal), plant protein (g), total fat (g), saturated fatty acids (g, % of energy, g/1000 kcal), monounsaturated fatty acids (g) and starch (g, % of energy, g/1000 kcal) were significantly higher in boys, while intakes of sucrose (% of energy, g/1000 kcal) and total water (g/1000 kcal) were significantly higher in girls. The children’s diets were characterised by excessive intake of total fat, saturated fatty acids, sucrose, and by inadequate intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids, available carbohydrates and starch.ConclusionsThe observed adverse characteristics of the children’s diets are similar to those observed in the diets of children in other European countries and show the need to work out a common educational programme to improve nutrition in young European children. It is also important to provide the lacking information about the intake of animal protein, plant protein and water in young children.

Macronutrient and fibre intake of young Spanish children with reference to their in utero growth status: Are they eating a healthy diet?

“…Overall, we observed significant deviation from the recommended EI of macronutrients particularly for proteins, SFAs and UFAs as well as for fibre for both children born with IUGR and AGA. This is similar to the trends observed in other European countries such as Belgium, Greece, Finland, Italy and Poland . In addition, children born with IUGR showed additional dietary risk of excess carbohydrate intake, besides cardiovascular remodelling that they undergo during fetal life as an adaptive mechanism to the compromised in utero environment.…”

“…Since the inclusion of height did not show significant difference in predicting BMR, gender‐ and age‐dependent Oxford predictive equations from weight alone were used to calculate BMR . EI:BMR ratios of up to 1.01 for girls and 1.04 for boys were considered as not plausible measurements of the EI . One boy and a girl identified in this way as under reporters were excluded from further analysis.…”

“…We did not adjust for child's age and gender as their P values in univariate analysis was more than 0.25 (Table ). Available carbohydrate intake was determined as the difference between total carbohydrates and the dietary fibre . All nutrients were checked for normality.…”

“…37 Under-reporting of EI Under reporters were identified by calculating ratio of EI to predicted basal metabolic rate (BMR) (EI:BMR). 38 of height did not show significant difference in predicting BMR, gender-and age-dependent Oxford predictive equations from weight alone were used to calculate BMR. 35 EI:BMR ratios of up to 1.01 for girls and 1.04 for boys were considered as not plausible measurements of the EI.…”

“…35 EI:BMR ratios of up to 1.01 for girls and 1.04 for boys were considered as not plausible measurements of the EI. 38 One boy and a girl identified in this way as under reporters were excluded from further analysis.…”