Food and Nutrient Intake among 12-Month-Old Norwegian-Somali and Norwegian-Iraqi Infants

Abstract

The aim of the present paper was to describe food and nutrient intake among 12-month-old Norwegian-Somali and Norwegian-Iraqi infants, with a focus on iron and vitamin D intake. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from August 2013 through September 2014. Eighty-nine mothers/infants of Somali origin and 77 mothers/infants of Iraqi origin residing in Eastern Norway participated in the study. Data were collected using two 24-h multiple-pass recalls. Forty percent of the Norwegian-Somali infants and 47% of the Norwegian-Iraqi infants were breastfed at 12 months of age (p = 0.414). Median energy percentages (E%) from protein, fat and carbohydrates were within the recommended intake ranges, except the level of saturated fats (12–13 E%). Median intakes of almost all micronutrients were above the recommended daily intakes. Most of the infants consumed iron-enriched products (81%) and received vitamin D supplements (84%). The median intakes of iron and vitamin D were significantly higher among infants receiving iron-enriched products and vitamin D supplements compared to infants not receiving such products (p < 0.001). The findings indicate that the food and nutrient intake of this group of infants in general seems to be in accordance with Norwegian dietary recommendations. Foods rich in iron and vitamin D supplements were important sources of the infants’ intake of iron and vitamin D and should continue to be promoted.

A Scoping Review of the Health of African Immigrant and Refugee Children

“…A total of 40 articles report on nutrition following arrival to the host country [ 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 , 79 , 80 , 81 , 82 , 83 , 84 , 85 , 86 , 87 , 88 , 89 , 90 , 91 , 92 , 93 , 94 , 95 , 96 , 97 , 98 , 99 , 100 , 101 , 102 , 103 , 104 ]. Concerning breastfeeding practices among mothers of AMC, scholars largely centre their attention on high-income settings such as Norway and Australia, or conversely on refugee camps in Africa.…”

“…In Algeria, Italy, and Spain, several authors report lower quality diets in AMC soon after their arrival [ 73 , 74 ]. For instance, some immigrants to Italy are less likely to have breakfast compared to Italians [ 75 ]. Conversely, AMC in Norway appear to align with Norwegian dietary recommendations [ 76 ], and AMC in the United States make dietary choices that are highly influenced by their culture [ 77 ].…”

Nutritional rickets in Norway: a nationwide register-based cohort study

“…In the same study noted above, median daily calcium intake was 777 mg in Norwegian-Somali and 633 mg in Norwegian-Iraqi infants. 15 …”