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Dietary intakes of children aged between 1–3 years attending a childcare centre in Dublin

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 October 2012

M. C. Walsh ,
J. L. O'Neill ,
J. O'Dea ,
E. R. Gibney ,
A. Regan  and
E. Shannon
M. C. Walsh
Affiliation:
Danone Baby Nutrition, Block 1 Deansgrange Business Park, Deansgrange, Co.Dublin, Republic of Ireland
J. L. O'Neill
Affiliation:
Danone Baby Nutrition, Block 1 Deansgrange Business Park, Deansgrange, Co.Dublin, Republic of Ireland
J. O'Dea
Affiliation:
Danone Baby Nutrition, Block 1 Deansgrange Business Park, Deansgrange, Co.Dublin, Republic of Ireland
E. R. Gibney
Affiliation:
UCD Institute of Food and Health, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Republic of Ireland
A. Regan
Affiliation:
Danone Baby Nutrition, Block 1 Deansgrange Business Park, Deansgrange, Co.Dublin, Republic of Ireland
E. Shannon
Affiliation:
Danone Baby Nutrition, Block 1 Deansgrange Business Park, Deansgrange, Co.Dublin, Republic of Ireland
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Abstract

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Information
Proceedings of the Nutrition Society , Volume 71 , Issue OCE2: Summer Meeting hosted by the Irish Section, 16–19 July 2012, Translational nutrition: integrating research, practice and policy , 2012 , E75
Copyright
Copyright © The Authors 2012

The period between the ages 1–3 years is one of rapid growth and appropriate dietary intake is therefore required to provide the nutrients to support optimum growth and development( Reference Lanigan, Turnbull and Singhal 1 ).

The aim of this study was to calculate the nutrient intakes of 40 healthy pre-school children aged 1–3 years and assess whether they met the recommended intakes for energy and key nutrients( 2 – 5 ). This was done by identifying individuals meeting the recommended targets( 2 – 5 ) to allow for individual feedback to be generated. Parents/guardians provided written consent for their child to take part in the study. Food and beverage intake was recorded by parents/guardians/staff as appropriate, using a 3-day food diary. Questionnaires were also administered to parents/guardians to provide health, lifestyle and attitudinal information. Dietary intake data was analysed using Dietplan 6 (Forestfield Software Ltd, UK)( 6 ).

∧All sources including dietary supplements. *UK DRV2, †Irish RDA3, ‡IOM RDA4, #UK NHS5

Although the majority of parents (84%) reported that their child had a healthy diet, a large proportion of toddlers did not meet their recommended intake for energy or key macro- or micronutrients( 2 – 5 ). This study indicates a lack of understanding about healthy eating and the specific nutritional requirements of children aged 1–3 years.

References

1. Lanigan, J, Turnbull, B, Singhal, A (2007) Toddler diets in the UK: deficiencies and imbalances. 2. Relationship J Fam Health Care 17(6): 197–200.Google ScholarPubMed
2. Department of Health. Dietary Reference Values for Food Energy and Nutrients for the United Kingdom. London: HMSO, 1996.Google Scholar
3. Food Safety Authority of Ireland. Recommended Dietary Allowances for Ireland. Dublin:FSAI, 1999. Available from: www.fsai.ie Google Scholar
4. Ross, CA, Taylor, CL, Yaktine, AL et al. editors. Dietary reference intakes for Calcium and Vitamin D. Washington, D.C.: Institute of Medicine, 2011. Available from: www.nap.edu Google Scholar
5. NHS choices. Salt: the facts [Internet]. UK:NHS, 2011 [cited 2011 July]. Available from: www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Goodfood/Pages/salt.aspx Google Scholar
6. Food Standards Agency. McCance and Widdowson's The Composition of Foods, 6th Edition. Cambridge:Royal Society of Chemistry, 2002.Google Scholar