The Role of Young Child Formula in Ensuring a Balanced Diet in Young Children (1–3 Years Old)

Abstract

During the nutritional vulnerable period of 1–3 years of age, nutrient intake is often inadequate due to an unbalanced diet. Young child formula (YCF) has been proposed as a means of improving nutrition in this age group. We compared the food consumption and nutrient intake of 241 YCF consumers (YCF-C) to those of 206 non-consumers (YCF-NC), selected from among the children enrolled in the Nutri-Bébé survey, an observational cross-sectional survey, conducted from 3 January to 21 April 2013. Food consumption and nutrient intake were analyzed from a three-day dietary record. The YCF-C < 2 years group had a protein (−8 g/d; p < 0.0001) and sodium (−18%; p = 0.0003) intake that was lower than that of YCF-NC, but still above the respective EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) Average Requirement (AR) or Adequate Intake (AI). At all ages, the YCF-C group had higher intakes of essential fatty acids (p < 0.0001), vitamins C (p < 0.0001), A, D, and E (p < 0.0001), all B vitamins (p < 0.001) except B12, iron (9 vs. 5 mg/d, p < 0.0001), reaching the Dietary Reference Values (DRVs, AR or AI), but similar DHA and ARA intakes. Getting closer to the reference values proposed by EFSA required at least 360 mL/d of YCF. The consumption of YCF may help infants and children at risk of nutrient deficiencies to meet their nutritional requirements. However, protein, sodium, and vitamin A intakes remained above the EFSA DRVs, and DHA, ARA, and vitamin D remained below.

Contribution of Milk Beverages to Nutrient Adequacy of Young Children and Preschool Children in the Philippines

“…In contrast to the expert opinions and recommendations on toddler milk and YCM from Europe and the U.S. [13,[26][27][28], the routine use of YCM is not deemed a necessity, as the missing nutrients in the diet of young children can also be provided by other dietary sources in these countries, the findings of the current study did support the role of YCM in the diet of young children in the Philippines. Furthermore, our study also supported that the use of YCM/PCM can increase the intake of iron and vitamin D and decrease the intake of protein when compared to other milk, in accordance to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) scientific opinion [26], conclusion from the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) committee [13], and findings from previous studies [5][6][7][8][9][10][11].…”

“…Young children milk (YCM) and preschool children milk (PCM), are milks tailored for children's nutritional needs at different age stages, fortified with vitamins and minerals, some with DHA and probiotics. A number of observational studies and randomized controlled trials (RCT) in Europe and Australia and New Zealand have demonstrated that, when compared to cow's milk, YCM improved nutrient intakes among children above 12 months, particularly in iron and vitamin D [5][6][7][8][9]. Several studies have shown that children who consumed YCM had better iron and vitamin D status than non-consumers [7,10,11], and it had a lower percentage of body fat than children who consumed cow's milk [12].…”

Energy Intake, Macronutrient Profile and Food Sources of Spanish Children Aged One to <10 Years—Results from the EsNuPI Study †

“…It has been suggested as a resource to help to achieve adequate intakes of critical nutrients in young children. They are fortified with several nutrients, including iron, vitamin D and essential fatty acids (EFA) and they contain less protein, saturated fat and sodium than CM [10]. Also, according to the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) the YCF can be used as part of a strategy to increase the intake of iron, vitamin D and n-3 PUFA and decrease the intake of protein compared with unfortified CM [11].…”

“…The total annual volume of infant adapted milk accounts for 57 million liters [12]. Nevertheless, currently, there is some controversy about the advantages or disadvantages of drinking YCF or CM between 1-3 years old and whether the use of fortified milk formulas in later ages represents a nutritional advantage versus the exclusive use of cow's milk [10][11][12][13][14].…”

Consensus of the Brazilian Association of Nutrology on Milky Feeding of Children Aged 1–5 Years Old

“…Chouraqui et al, 2019, 73 conducted a controlled multicenter study with almost 1,000 children aged between 1 and 3 years old. Children < 2 years old using YCF consumed lower amounts of protein and sodium than those who consumed cow's milk.…”