Abstract
The Diet and Nutrition Survey of Infants and Young Children (DNSIYC) was carried out in 2011 to assess the nutrient intakes of 4 to 18 month old infants in the UK. Prior to the main stage of DNSIYC, pilot work was undertaken to determine the impact of using graduated utensils to estimate portion sizes. The aims were to assess whether the provision of graduated utensils altered either the foods given to infants or the amount consumed by comparing estimated intakes to weighed intakes. Parents completed two 4-day food diaries over a two week period; an estimated diary using graduated utensils and a weighed diary. Two estimated diary formats were tested; half the participants completed estimated diaries in which they recorded the amount of food/drink served and the amount left over, and the other half recorded the amount of food/drink consumed only. Median daily food intake for the estimated and the weighed method were similar; 980g and 928g respectively. There was a small (6.6%) but statistically significant difference in energy intake reported by the estimated and the weighed method; 3189kJ and 2978kJ respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between estimated intakes from the served and left over diaries and weighed intakes (p>0.05). Estimated intakes from the amount consumed diaries were significantly different to weighed intakes (food weight (g) p = 0.02; energy (kJ) p = 0.01). There were no differences in intakes of amorphous (foods which take the shape of the container, e.g. pureed foods, porridge) and discrete food items (individual pieces of food e.g. biscuits, rice cakes) between the two methods. The results suggest that the household measures approach to reporting portion size, with the combined use of the graduated utensils, and recording the amount served and the amount left over in the food diaries, may provide a feasible alternative to weighed intakes.
Highlights
The current National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) rolling programme studies the intakes of children and adults from the age of 18 months in the UK [1]
Average daily estimated intake (EI) were higher than weighed intake (WI), there were no statistically significant differences between weighed and estimated food weight
The main objectives of the study were to determine the extent of the difference between estimated intakes using measuring equipment and weighed intakes in 4 to 18 month infants, in terms of the amount and types of foods consumed
Summary
The current National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) rolling programme studies the intakes of children and adults from the age of 18 months in the UK [1]. To capture the intakes of this younger population, the Diet and Nutrition Survey of Infants and Young Children (DNSIYC) was carried out in 2011 in the UK to assess nutrient intakes of 4 to 18 month old infants on a national scale; full details of the DNSIYC are described elsewhere [7]. The aims of DNSIYC were to provide quantitative information on the food and nutrient intakes, sources of nutrients and nutritional status of a representative sample of young infants. This paper will describe pilot work that was carried out prior to the main stage of DNSIYC, to determine the impact of using graduated utensils to estimate food portion sizes in 4 to 18 month old infants
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