Abstract
We assessed the adequacy of nutrient intakes of Japanese children aged 3–5 years. Dietary information was collected using a 3-nonconsective-day weighed dietary record among 143 boys and 143 girls. Estimates of usual nutrient intakes from foods and beverages were obtained using the best-power method. The proportions of children with intakes below and above the Japanese Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) were estimated. The estimated usual intakes of boys and girls were adequate for most nutrients, given the low proportion (≤2%) of children consuming diets that fell below the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) or the mean usual intakes higher than the Adequate Intake. However, a high percentage of boys and girls had usual intakes below the EAR for calcium (64% and 54%, respectively), vitamin A (20% and 11%, respectively), thiamin (15% and 41%, respectively), and iron (27% and 10%, respectively). Additionally, 62% of boys and 66% of girls had diets that exceeded the recommended range for total fat (20%–30% energy). Further, 92% for boys and 85% for girls consumed diets that exceeded the recommended limit for sodium (4.0 and 4.5 g NaCl equivalent/day, respectively). In conclusion, the estimated usual intakes were adequate for most nutrients in this sample of 3–5-year-old Japanese children.
Highlights
Dietary habits and eating behaviors in childhood potentially have short- and long-term effects on health, including the development of many chronic diseases such as obesity [1] and cardiovascular disease [2]
The mean energy intake (EI):basal metabolic rate (BMR) and EI:energy requirement (EER) were quite close to the physical activity level (PAL) for sedentary lifestyle (1.55) and the expected ratio of 1.00, respectively, in both sexes
In comparison with the Japanese Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) [14], the estimated usual intakes in this sample were adequate for most nutrients, including protein, riboflavin, niacin, vitamins B-6, B-12, and C, folate, magnesium, zinc, and copper as well as n-6 PUFA, n-3 PUFA, vitamins D, E, and K, pantothenic acid, potassium, phosphorus, and manganese
Summary
Dietary habits and eating behaviors in childhood potentially have short- and long-term effects on health, including the development of many chronic diseases such as obesity [1] and cardiovascular disease [2]. Monitoring children’s dietary intake is a high public-health priority to ensure that effective health-education programs and campaigns can be implemented. For this purpose, in Western countries, Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) have been. In contrast to dietary patterns in Western countries, recent Japanese diets typically include high intakes of refined grains (mainly white rice), seaweeds, vegetables, fish, soybean products, and green tea, as well as low intakes of whole grains, processed meat, nuts, and soft drinks, at least for adults [12,13]. Among Japanese preschool children, evaluation of contemporary nutrient intake will aid identification of potential issues of public-health concern and inform nutrition policies aimed at promoting the establishment of healthy eating patterns and dietary guidelines
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