Growth, energy intake, and meal pattern in five-year-old children considered as poor eaters

Abstract

Objective To investigate whether 5-year-old children considered poor eaters differ from their peers regarding growth, intake of energy and nutrients, or meal pattern. Study design Parental evaluations of children's (n = 494) eating at age 5 years were collected using questionnaires, and energy and nutrient intakes and meal pattern of the children were assessed using 4-day food records. Weight and height were measured at birth and at ages 7 and 13 months, and 2, 3, 4, and 5 years. Of the children 30.2% (149) were poor eaters according to the parents. The rest of the sample (n = 345) formed the comparison group. Results Poor eaters were on average lighter and shorter at birth ( P = .026 and P = .020, respectively), and at age 5 years ( P<.001 for both weight and height) than the comparison children. At age 5 years the poor eaters on average received less of their daily total energy from warm meals ( P = .044) and more from snacks ( P = .013) than the comparison group, but the mean daily weight-adjusted intake of energy showed no difference between the groups ( P = .153). Conclusions There appears not to be reason for serious concern about growth and diet of preschool-aged children considered as poor eaters by parents.