Nutrient intake among a longitudinal group of urban black South African children at four interceptions between 1995 and 2000 (Birth-to-Ten Study)

Abstract

The manuscript reports on the energy, macro- and micronutrient intake of a true longitudinal group of urban black South African children [n = 163] from the Birth-to-Ten (BTT) Study seen at four interventions; 1995, 1997, 1999 and 2000 when they were 5, 7, 9 and 10-years, respectively. Dietary intake was assessed using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. The coded data was analysed using SAS. Calcium, iron, zinc and biotin were the most common nutrients found to fall below the RDA at most of the interceptions, with also the largest percentage of children falling below the recommended intakes for these nutrients. The nutrient intake of the children appeared to deteriorate from 1995 to 2000, with the lowest intakes for most nutrients recorded in 2000. Most nutrients showed a negative change in mean intake from 1999 to 2000, but a positive change from 1997 to 1999. The deterioration in nutrient density of the diet after 1995 reflects the difficult socio-economic circumstances encountered in South Africa.