Nutrient intakes and sources of fiber among children with low and high dietary fiber intake: the 2016 feeding infants and toddlers study (FITS), a cross-sectional survey

Abstract

BackgroundIncreasing dietary fiber intake in children may improve overall diet quality. The purpose of this study was to compare nutrient intakes and sources of fiber between young children with low and high fiber intakes utilizing data from the Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS) 2016.MethodsThe FITS 2016 was a nationwide, cross sectional survey of caregivers designed to assess food and nutrient intakes, feeding behaviors, and dietary patterns among infants and young children living in the U.S. Energy adjusted macro and micronutrient intakes (nutrients/1000 kcals) of children with energy adjusted fiber intakes (g/1000 kcals) in the highest quartile were compared to those in the lowest quartile with paired t-tests. Sources of fiber for each quartile were ranked according to percent of total fiber intake.ResultsChildren with fiber intakes in the highest quartile had significantly lower intakes of total fat (mean difference ranged from 7.4–9.6 g, p < 0.0005) and saturated fat (mean difference ranged from 4 to 5.8 g, p < 0.0005), and significantly higher intakes of vitamin B-6 (mean difference ranged from 0.3–0.4 mg, p < 0.0005), magnesium (mean difference ranged from 57.2–61.8 mg, p < 0.0005), iron (mean difference ranged from 2.2–3.7 mg, p < 0.0005), and potassium (mean difference ranged from 318.2 mg to 446.1 mg, p < 0.0005) compared to children in the lowest quartile across all age groups. Children in the highest quartile had higher intakes of nut butters, legumes, fruits, and vegetables and consumed a greater percentage of grains as whole grains than those in the lowest quartile.ConclusionEncouraging intake of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nut butters, and at least 75% of grains as whole grains may help young children improve dietary fiber intake and overall diet quality.

Breakfast Cereals Intended for Children: Opportunities for Reformulation and Potential Impact on Nutrient Intake

“…Several studies suggest that children with diets consisting of higher amounts of fiberrich foods generally consume less energy from total fat and saturated fatty acids and more dietary fiber in children's diets might be associated with a lower risk of childhood obesity [32,47].…”

“…RTECs that could be potentially reformulated were identified based on the NPM-PT criteria (presenting the most restrictive profile model), in combination with the dietary fiber criterion from the EU-Pledge, that considers a minimum value of 3 g of dietary fiber per 100 g of product. The dietary fiber criterion was included since the increased intake of fiber has been associated with the improvement of the overall quality of the diet among children and adults [32]. Furthermore, dietary fiber intake is usually below the dietary reference values, despite any improvement in its consumption, particularly in children, which is expected to be associated with health benefits [22,33].…”

Consumo de fibras e dificuldades alimentares na infância: alimentos contribuintes e fatores associados

“…São Paulo, 2019.Em relação aos fatores associados ao consumo de fibras dentro da recomendação (tabela 3), houve associação Sobre os fatores associados ao consumo de fibras dentro da recomendação, escolaridade dos pais apresentou associação positiva, enquanto uso de distração durante a refeição e falta de autonomia da criança para se servir apresentaram associação negativa. Diversos estudos têm demonstrado que a população infantil apresenta baixo consumo de fibras5,[12][13][14][15] . Spinelli e colaboradores12 , ao verificarem o consumo alimentar de crianças entre 6 e 18 meses frequentadoras de creches, encontraram um consumo de fibras que não atendeu às recomendações diárias.…”

“…atendeu cerca de dois terços das necessidades, podendo representar um risco para constipação intestinal. O baixo consumo também foi encontrado por Finn e colaboradores13 em estudo com o objetivo de comparar a ingestão de nutrientes e as fontes de fibras entre crianças de até 47,9 meses com baixa e alta ingestão desse nutriente. Além ISSN 2236-5834…”

“…apontam em artigo de revisão que quanto maior a escolaridade, maior a percepção acerca do desenvolvimento infantil e menos conflituosas as relações com os filhos, o que gera práticas menos punitivas, coercitivas e negligenciais, o que pode influenciar a alimentação, e por consequência, o consumo de macro e micronutrientes, como fibras. Esse resultado também corrobora com o achado de Finn e colaboradores13 , no qual cuidadores de crianças no quartil de baixo consumo de fibras eram menos instruídos e tinham menor renda quando comparados aos do quartil de maior consumo de fibras, especialmente entre crianças de 12 a 23,9 meses.…”