Comparison of Dietary Intakes of 7-Year-Old Children Enrolled in Observational Birth Cohort Studies on the Isle of Man and in South-west England.

Ellen Tweney,Stephanie Goodfellow,Jean Golding,Caroline Taylor,Pauline Emmett

doi:10.3390/nu9070724

Abstract

There is concern regarding the amount of fruit and vegetables consumed and high sugar intakes in children’s diets. Regional dietary differences in the British Isles could underlie variations in health outcomes, but little is known about these differences. Our aim was to compare diets of children enrolled in observational birth cohort studies in the Isle of Man (IoM-ELSPAC) and in south-west England (ALSPAC). Dietary intakes were assessed by 3-day food records in IoM and ALSPAC at an age of 7 years. Comparisons of mean daily nutrient, and food and food group intakes were made between the studies and with UK national dietary guidelines. Diets in both regions were adequate for most nutrients except dietary fibre, but in both groups intake of free sugars was three times higher than the UK recommended maximum. There were differences between the two regions, particularly higher energy, protein, and carbohydrate intakes in IoM. IoM children consumed greater amounts of red meat, bread, full-fat milk, and sugar-sweetened drinks. IoM children had higher intakes of energy and some nutrients and food groups than ALSPAC children, and similar low intakes of fruits and vegetables. Children’s diets in both regions could be improved, particularly considering the increasing prevalence of childhood obesity and the UK recommendation to lower the intake of free sugars.

Highlights

Much is known about the diets of children across the UK from several studies, including the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) [1], and in Ireland from the National Children’s FoodSurvey (NCFS) [2]
Data from the Isle of Man (IoM) were based on 490 food records (244 boys and 246 girls) and from Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC)
The demographic characteristics for IoM compared with ALSPAC for participants with food record data at the age of 7 years were broadly similar except that the IoM mothers were slightly younger than the ALSPAC

Summary

Introduction

Much is known about the diets of children across the UK from several studies, including the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) [1], and in Ireland from the National Children’s Food. There are very few data, on regional differences in overall diets and food consumption. The NDNS does provide data on regional differences in consumption of individual food items but the geographical areas covered are very large. In depth comparisons between more closely defined geographical areas may provide important insights into regional differences in diet and health. The Isle of Man (IoM) is an understudied area of the British Isles and there may be important differences in diet compared with the mainland. The IoM is a self-governing Crown dependency situated in the Irish Sea with a population of approximately 76,000 in 2001, comprising about 50%

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion