Energy and macronutrient intake of one-year-old South African urban children: the Birth to Ten (BTT) Study.

Abstract

With the changing situation in South Africa, new, reliable, longitudinal nutritional information on young children is needed. Part of the objective of the Birth to Ten (BTT) Study (1990-2000) in the Soweto-Johannesburg area, is to assess the nutrient intake of children. For each of the 2059 one-year-old children mean nutrient intake was determined using food frequency intakes, determined through interviewing parents or guardians. Urban 'coloured' children had the highest daily intake of all the macronutrients, energy being significantly higher than the other groups. Urban black children had the lowest macronutrient intake and energy was significantly lower than that of white children. All groups consumed a typical westernised diet, low in unrefined carbohydrate (47-49% of energy), but high in protein (200% of Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA)) and fat (38-40% of energy). Among the 'black', 'coloured' and 'white' clinics a difference of approximately 300 kcal/day was noted between the highest and the lowest energy intakes, Pimville and Mofolo showing significantly higher differences among the 'black' clinics. Among the 'coloured' clinics Westbury had a significantly higher energy intake than Eldorado Park. Results have indicated that one-year-old 'coloured' and white children had adequate nutrient intakes, but black and Indian had inadequate energy intakes based on RDA and excluding the contribution of breast milk.