scholarly journals Evaluation of Nutrient Intake and Food Consumption among Dutch Toddlers

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1531
Author(s):  
Elly Steenbergen ◽  
Anne Krijger ◽  
Janneke Verkaik-Kloosterman ◽  
Liset E. M. Elstgeest ◽  
Sovianne ter Borg ◽  
...  

Improving dietary habits at a young age could prevent adverse health outcomes. The aim was to gain insight into the adequacy of the dietary intake of Dutch toddlers, which may provide valuable information for preventive measures. Data obtained from the Dutch National Food Consumption Survey 2012–2016 were used, which included 672 children aged one to three years. Habitual intakes of nutrients were evaluated according to recommendations set by the Dutch Health Council. Specific food groups were evaluated according to the Dutch food-based dietary guidelines. For most nutrients, intakes were estimated to be adequate. High intakes were found for saturated fatty acids, retinol, iodine, copper, zinc, and sodium. No statement could be provided on the adequacy of intakes of alpha-linoleic acids, N-3 fish fatty acids, fiber, and iron. 74% of the toddlers used dietary supplements, and 59% used vitamin D supplements specifically. Total median intakes of vegetables, bread, and milk products were sufficient. Consumption of bread, potatoes and cereals, milk products, fats, and drinks consisted largely of unhealthy products. Consumption of unfavorable products may have been the cause of the observed high and low intakes of several nutrients. Shifting towards a healthier diet that is more in line with the guidelines may positively affect the dietary intake of Dutch toddlers and prevent negative health impacts, also later in life.

2005 ◽  
Vol 75 (3) ◽  
pp. 195-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirmiran ◽  
Azadbakht ◽  
Azizi

The aim of this study was to determine the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) score and its relation to intake of nutrients and the number of servings from each food group consumed by adolescents residing in district 13 of Tehran. This study, conducted within the framework of Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS), was a part of a dietary intake assessment carried out in 443 families, including 465 adolescents, aged 10–18 years, according to the Food Guide Pyramid and dietary guidelines on individuals residing in district 13 of Tehran. In this study, dietary intake was assessed with two-day 24-hour recalls. HEI was calculated based on nine components. The score range of each component was 0 to 10, the sum score of this index therefore being 90. The HEI score was categorized into three groups: less than 45 (poor diet), between 45–72 (needs improvement) and more than 72 (good diet). The mean score of HEI was 64.9 ± 9.6 in boys and 64.8 ± 9.4 in girls. The results showed that the number of servings of food groups in those with good diet was significantly higher than the two other groups (p < 0.05). In contrast the percent of saturated fat intake and cholesterol consumption in those with HEI _ 72 was lower than the other groups (p < 0.05). The approximate number of food items consumed and the total nutrient intake by adolescents with HEI score _ 72 was significantly higher than the others (p > 0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between the number of servings of grains group (r = 0.1), vegetables (r = 0.4), fruits (r = 0.4), dairy (r = 0.3), meat (r = 0.1), and HEI (p < 0.001). There was a significant negative correlation between fat intake (r = -0.2, p < 0.001), percent of saturated fatty acids (r = –0.2, p < 0.05), cholesterol consumption (r = -0.4, p < 0.05), and the ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids/saturated fatty acids (P/S) in diet (r = 0.2, p < 0.05), and HEI score. Seventy-four, 23, and 3% of diets were categorized into "needs improvement", "good", and "poor", respectively. In conclusion, the diets of most Tehranian adolescents need improvement, demonstrating the need for nutrition education in this age group.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 4536
Author(s):  
Sovianne ter ter Borg ◽  
Elly Steenbergen ◽  
Ivon E. J. Milder ◽  
Elisabeth H. M. Temme

An unhealthy dietary pattern is an important risk factor for non-communicable diseases. Front-of-Pack nutritional labels such as Nutri-Score can be used to improve food choices. In addition, products can be improved through reformulation. The current study investigates to what extent Nutri-Score aligns with the Dutch Health Council dietary guidelines and whether it can be used as an incentive for reformulation. Nutri-Score calculations were based on the Dutch Branded Food database (2018). The potential shift in Nutri-Score was calculated with product improvement scenarios. The Nutri-Score classification is in line with these dietary guidelines: increase the consumption of fruit and vegetables, pulses, and unsalted nuts. It is, however, less in line with the recommendations to limit (dairy) drinks with added sugar, reduce the consumption of red meat and replace refined cereal products with whole-grain products. The scenario analyses indicated that a reduction in sodium, saturated fat or sugars resulted in a more favourable Nutri-Score in a large variety of food groups. However, the percentage of products with an improved Nutri-Score varied greatly between the different food groups. Alterations to the algorithm may strengthen Nutri-Score in order to help consumers with their food choices.


2016 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jia En Neo ◽  
Saihah Binte Mohamed Salleh ◽  
Yun Xuan Toh ◽  
Kesslyn Yan Ling How ◽  
Mervin Tee ◽  
...  

AbstractPublic health bodies in many countries are attempting to increase population-wide habitual consumption of whole grains. Limited data on dietary habits exist in Singaporean children. The present study therefore aimed to assess whole grain consumption patterns in Singaporean children and compare these with dietary intake, physical activity and health parameters. Dietary intake (assessed by duplicate, multipass, 24-h food recalls), physical activity (by questionnaire) and anthropometric measurements were collected from a cross-section of 561 Singaporean children aged 6–12 years. Intake of whole grains was evaluated using estimates of portion size and international food composition data. Only 38·3 % of participants reported consuming whole grains during the dietary data collection days. Median intake of whole grains in consumers was 15·3 (interquartile range 5·4–34·8) g/d. The most commonly consumed whole-grain food groups were rice (29·5 %), wholemeal bread (28·9 %) and ready-to-eat breakfast cereals (18·8 %). A significantly lower proportion of Malay children (seven out of fifty-eight; P < 0·0001) consumed whole grains than children of other ethnicities. Only 6 % of all children consumed the amount of whole grains most commonly associated with improved health outcomes (48 g/d). There was no relationship between whole grain consumption patterns and BMI, waist circumference or physical activity but higher whole grain intake was associated with increased fruit, vegetable and dairy product consumption (P < 0·001). These findings demonstrate that consumption of whole grain foods is low at a population level and infrequent in Singaporean children. Future drives to increase whole-grain food consumption in this population are likely to require input from multiple stakeholders.


2019 ◽  
Vol 109 (3) ◽  
pp. 656-664 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary J Christoph ◽  
Nicole I Larson ◽  
Megan R Winkler ◽  
Melanie M Wall ◽  
Dianne Neumark-Sztainer

ABSTRACT Background Establishing healthy dietary habits during adolescence and young adulthood is critical for long-term health. Objectives This study assessed the prevalence of meeting US Dietary Guidelines and trajectories in dietary intake for 4 MyPlate food groups during the transition from adolescence to young adulthood. Methods Three waves of surveys and food frequency questionnaires were collected as part of Project EAT (Eating and Activity in Teens and Young Adults), a 15-y longitudinal study. Adolescents (n = 1177, 57% female, mean ± SD age 15.0 ± 1.5 y) were recruited in 1998–1999 in Minneapolis-St Paul, Minnesota public schools and were resurveyed twice in young adulthood at mean ± SD ages 25.3 ± 1.5 and 31.1 ± 1.5 y. The prevalence of meeting guidelines for each MyPlate food group was calculated at each time point. Mean daily servings were compared over 5 y in young adulthood through the use of paired t tests. Adjusted least-squares means were calculated to compare dietary intake in young adulthood across quartiles of adolescent intake. Results Adolescents had the highest prevalence of meeting dietary guidelines for fruit (37% for females and 30% for males) and dairy (53% for females and 61% for males); young adults >30 y had the highest prevalence of meeting dietary guidelines for vegetables (19% for females and 8% for males) and whole grains (23% for females and 17% for males). From the mid-twenties to early thirties, vegetable intake increased, whereas dairy intake decreased. Dietary intake generally tracked over time with individuals in the lower quartiles of intake at adolescence generally continuing to have low intake in young adulthood. Conclusions Although the prevalence of meeting dietary guidelines for whole grains and vegetables, and daily servings of vegetables increased with age, improving intake of whole fruit, whole grains, dairy, and vegetables remains key during the transition from adolescence to young adulthood.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 4430
Author(s):  
Federica Concina ◽  
Paola Pani ◽  
Claudia Carletti ◽  
Giulia Bravo ◽  
Alessandra Knowles ◽  
...  

Unhealthy dietary habits established in early infancy may lead to under or over nutrition later in life. This paper describes the energy, nutrients and food-type intake of 18-month-old infants belonging to the Italian PHIME cohort (n = 389) and evaluates adherence to the Italian dietary reference values (DRVs). Infant dietary data were collected using 7-day dietary records. Mean energy, macro and micronutrient intakes were estimated and compared with the DRVs. The percentage contribution of 19 selected food groups to total energy and macro- and micronutrient intake was determined with the aim of establishing the main food sources. Most infants’ diet shared common characteristics: poor variety, excessive intake of proteins (16.5 E% vs. 8–12 E% DRV) and saturated fatty acids (SFAs) (13.8 E% vs. <10 E% DRV), mainly derived from milk and dairy products, and low intake of total fats (33.2 E% vs. 35–40 E% DRV), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) (3.1 E% vs. 5–10 E% DRV), vitamin D (1.1 vs. 15 µg/day DRV) and iron (4.5 vs. 8 mg/day DRV). The unbalanced distribution of macronutrients was reflected in energy intakes outside DRV ranges for more than half the infants. Public health interventions promoting healthy eating habits from early on, even from pregnancy, could yield significant short- and long-term health benefits.


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 3412
Author(s):  
Wojciech Koch ◽  
Marcin Czop ◽  
Agnieszka Nawrocka ◽  
Dariusz Wiącek

Food is a major source of minerals for humans. The main objective of this study was to determine the intake level of 10 essential macro- (Na, K, Ca, and Mg) and trace elements (Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, Cr, and Se) with major food groups among young adults. Dietary intake of elements was evaluated using the 24-h dietary recall technique in combination with F-AAS and ICP-OES methods. A very high intake of sodium and a very low intake of calcium, combined with inappropriate sodium/potassium ratio, may be harmful to the health of the population. Dietary intake of trace elements was within the range of reference values in the subjects, with cereals being the major source of a majority of those elements, while meat (38% for Na), vegetables (25% for K), and milk products (75% for Ca) were the main contributors to the daily dietary intake of macroelements. PCA revealed several visible trends in the datasetAmong men, the intake of Zn, Cr Na and K was significantly correlated with the consumption of meat and vegetables, whereas Mg, Se, Fe and Cu with cereals and water and beverages. Among women, the intake of Mg was significantly correlated with the consumption of meat and vegetables.


2011 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 600-608 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helena Kobe ◽  
Matevž Štimec ◽  
Cirila Hlastan Ribič ◽  
Nataša Fidler Mis

AbstractObjectivesTo investigate the food intake of Slovenian adolescents and to compare it with food-based dietary guidelines developed for children and adolescents, named the Optimized Mixed Diet (OMD). The OMD is a useful tool for the evaluation of food intake of adolescents.DesignAll adolescents completed an FFQ at a regional health centre; a subgroup also completed a 3 d weighed dietary protocol at home.SettingThis study is a part of the first national representative study on the dietary habits of Slovenian adolescents.SubjectsThis cross-sectional study included a representative sample of 2813 Slovenian adolescents entering high school, aged 14–17 years, from all ten geographical regions of Slovenia.ResultsThe greatest deviations from the recommended intakes of the main food groups in the OMD were significantly lower intakes of (P < 0·001, mean): vegetables (179 and 163 g/d in boys and girls, respectively), bread/cereals (271 and 226 g/d), potatoes/rice/pasta (212 and 163 g/d); in boys also a significantly lower intake of fruits (mean: 321 g/d, P < 0·001) and a significantly higher intake of meat/meat products (mean: 126 g/d, P < 0·001). Additionally, the results show too high intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and too low intakes of fish and plant oils in both genders.ConclusionsThe food intake pattern of Slovenian adolescents deviates markedly from a healthy eating pattern. Nutrition education and interventions are needed for Slovenian adolescents.


Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 2200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Unger ◽  
Torres-Gonzalez ◽  
Kraft

Lifestyle is a key modifiable risk factor involved in the manifestation of metabolic syndrome and, in particular, diet plays a pivotal role in its prevention and development. Current dietary guidelines discourage the consumption of saturated fat and dietary sources rich in saturated fat, such as dairy products, despite data suggesting that full-fat dairy consumption is protective against metabolic syndrome. This narrative review assessed the recent epidemiological and clinical research that examined the consumption of dairy-derived saturated fatty acids (SFA) on metabolic syndrome risk. In addition, this review evaluated studies of individual SFA to gain insight into the potential mechanisms at play with intake of a diet enriched with these dairy-derived fatty acids. This work underscores that SFA are a heterogenous class of fatty acids that can differ considerably in their biological activity within the body depending on their length and specific chemical structure. In summary, previous work on the impact of dairy-derived SFA consumption on disease risk suggests that there is currently insufficient evidence to support current dietary guidelines which consolidate all dietary SFA into a single group of nutrients whose consumption should be reduced, regardless of dietary source, food matrix, and composition.


2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (14) ◽  
pp. 2634-2642 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucinda K Bell ◽  
Gilly A Hendrie ◽  
Jo Hartley ◽  
Rebecca K Golley

AbstractObjectiveEarly childhood settings are promising avenues to intervene to improve children’s nutrition. Previous research has shown that a nutrition award scheme, Start Right – Eat Right (SRER), improves long day care centre policies, menus and eating environments. Whether this translates into improvements in children’s dietary intake is unknown. The present study aimed to determine whether SRER improves children’s food and nutrient intakes.DesignPre–post cohort study.SettingTwenty long day care centres in metropolitan Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.SubjectsChildren aged 2–4 years (n 236 at baseline, n 232 at follow-up).MethodsDietary intake (morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea) was assessed pre- and post-SRER implementation using the plate wastage method. Centre nutrition policies, menus and environments were evaluated as measures of intervention fidelity. Comparisons between baseline and follow-up were made using t tests.ResultsAt follow-up, 80 % of centres were fully compliant with the SRER award criteria, indicating high scheme implementation and adoption. Intake increased for all core food groups (range: 0·2–0·4 servings/d, P<0·001) except for vegetable intake. Energy intake increased and improvements in intakes of eleven out of the nineteen nutrients evaluated were observed.ConclusionsSRER is effective in improving children’s food and nutrient intakes at a critical time point when dietary habits and preferences are established and can inform future public health nutrition interventions in this setting.


The aging population is a significant social, medical and economic problem due to increasing prevalence of chronic diseases in elderly population. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia and the most common neurodegenerative disease. It is characterized by a progressive deterioration of memory and cognitive function. So far, there is neither an effective prevention nor cure for dementia, so more and more attention is paid to the prevention of this group of diseases, particularly to the appropriate diet. Preventive intervention gives the best results if introduced before the first symptoms of dementia, i.e., around the age of 50. This is when the nutritional status, number of synapses, cognition, and neuropathological changes in the nervous system compensate each other, which increases the chances of staying healthy for a longer period of time. It has been proven that dietary habits, which lead to the development of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, significantly increase the risk of dementia. On the other hand, a Mediterranean diet rich in antioxidants, fiber and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids may have a protective effect on the neurodegenerative process. The beneficial effect of many nutrients on the course of AD has been demonstrated. These include: glutathione, polyphenols, curcumin, coenzyme Q10, vitamins B6, B12, folic acid, unsaturated fatty acids, lecithin, UA, caffeine and some probiotic bacteria. A diet rich in saturated fatty acids and branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) promotes the progression of dementia. Dietary intervention should be introduced as early as possible to minimize the risk of developing dementia. The Mediterranean and DASH diets have been documented to protect against AD. However, the MIND diet is reported to be much more effective in preventing cognitive decline/dementia than either the Mediterranean or DASH diets alone.


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