Energy and protein intake of infants and children from The Low Income Group of Ibadan

Abstract

Energy and protein intakes of 915 infants and children recruited from five well baby clinics were determined using the 24-hour dietary recall method. Mothers were interviewed as to the foods and drinks given to the child the previous day. The quantities were estimated through the use of common household measures and prices, bedore being converted to energy and protein using the Food Composition Table for Africa. Comparison of nutrient intake data derived by calculations from food tables and chemical analysis did not result in any significant differences in estimated energy and protein intakes. The results indicated that there were significantly lower intakes in the amount of energy and protein for all ages and sexes in all locations when compared with requirements. This was more so for the younger age group of 4–9 months in whom energy intake was highly deficient. The deficient intake of energy and protein occurred irrespective of whether the subjects were being breastfed or weaned. Traditional weaning foods in Nigeria are thus deficient in meeting the energy and protein needs of the subjects.