Effects of Age and Time on Energy and Macronutrient Intake in German Infants and Young Children

Abstract

To describe effects of age and time on the intake of energy and macronutrients in infants and young children. The energy and macronutrient intake of 720 DONALD study participants between 1989 and 2003 was evaluated by analysing 3027 three-day weighed dietary records (including test weighing of breast milk consumption) at 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24 and 36 months. Mixed models and logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the effects of age and time on intake. Age affected macronutrient patterns (percentage of energy intake, E%) more often in infants than in young children. The percentage of full and partial breast-fed infants increased between 1989 and 2003. Almost no time trends were found for energy intake. Macronutrient patterns changed with time; for example, protein intake decreased throughout infancy (between -0.05 and -0.17 E%/y). An increase in fat intake (0.23 and 0.40 E%/y) was compensated by a decrease in carbohydrates (-0.18 and -0.29 E%/y) in young infants (3 and 6 months). Opposite trends in macronutrient patterns were observed in infants and young children. Increasing breast milk consumption over time was the most obvious factor influencing long-term trends in macronutrient patterns. In all of the age groups examined here, macronutrient patterns have come closer to the references over time.