Dietary intake of protein and fat of 12- to 36-month-old children in a Dutch Total Diet Study

Annemieke Maria Pustjens,Jacqueline Jozefine Maria Castenmiller,Jan Dirk Te Biesebeek,Polly Ester Boon

doi:10.1007/s00394-021-02653-6

Abstract

PurposeThis study attempted gaining insight into the intake of protein and fat of 12- to 36-month-old children in the Netherlands.MethodsIn 2017, a Total Diet Study (TDS) was carried out in the Netherlands including following three age groups: 12–17-, 18–23- and 24- to 36-month-old children. Protein and fat concentrations of 164 composite samples were analysed and combined with the consumption data from the Dutch National Food Consumption Survey 2012–2016 (DNFCS).ResultsMedian protein intake of the 12- to 35-month-old Dutch children based on the TDS was 35 g/day with main contributions from the food subgroups “milk and milk-based beverages”, “beef” and “yoghurts and desserts”. Median fat intake was 34 g/day with main contributions from the food subgroups “margarines”, “cheeses” and “milk and milk-based beverages”. For the youngest age group (12- to 18-month-old children), (ready to drink) follow-on formula was one of the main contributors to the fat intake.ConclusionCompared to the EFSA reference values, protein intake of the Dutch 12- to 36-month-old children is high, whereas fat intake follows the reference intake. A TDS is a suitable instrument to estimate macronutrient intakes.

Highlights

To estimate the dietary intake of nutrients, food consumption data are combined with food composition data
The food consumption per food group and subgroup for each age group used to design the Total Diet Study (TDS) is described in Table 1 and Supplementary Table 2
The food group “dairy products” contained milk and milk-based drinks that contributed to the total intake of fluids

Summary

Introduction

To estimate the dietary intake of nutrients, food consumption data are combined with food composition data. When data are missing, they may be borrowed from other countries or data of comparable foods or beverages are used to estimate the intake of nutrients. Food composition databases do not always contain information on Insight into the intake of nutrients can be obtained by collecting and chemically analysing duplicate portions or by performing a Total Diet Study (TDS). In the case of a TDS, foods and beverages consumed by a study population are analysed for chemicals and used to estimate the intake. Foods and beverages included in a TDS should be representative of the consumption pattern of the population group studied. Chemicals are analysed in (pooled) samples of foods and beverages purchased at retail level and prepared as consumed, where applicable. A TDS is, considered ‘to provide a solid basis for calculating population dietary exposure and assessing potential impact on public health’ [1]

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Results

Conclusion