Abstract
BackgroundIncreasing dietary fiber intake in children may improve overall diet quality. The purpose of this study was to compare nutrient intakes and sources of fiber between young children with low and high fiber intakes utilizing data from the Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS) 2016.MethodsThe FITS 2016 was a nationwide, cross sectional survey of caregivers designed to assess food and nutrient intakes, feeding behaviors, and dietary patterns among infants and young children living in the U.S. Energy adjusted macro and micronutrient intakes (nutrients/1000 kcals) of children with energy adjusted fiber intakes (g/1000 kcals) in the highest quartile were compared to those in the lowest quartile with paired t-tests. Sources of fiber for each quartile were ranked according to percent of total fiber intake.ResultsChildren with fiber intakes in the highest quartile had significantly lower intakes of total fat (mean difference ranged from 7.4–9.6 g, p < 0.0005) and saturated fat (mean difference ranged from 4 to 5.8 g, p < 0.0005), and significantly higher intakes of vitamin B-6 (mean difference ranged from 0.3–0.4 mg, p < 0.0005), magnesium (mean difference ranged from 57.2–61.8 mg, p < 0.0005), iron (mean difference ranged from 2.2–3.7 mg, p < 0.0005), and potassium (mean difference ranged from 318.2 mg to 446.1 mg, p < 0.0005) compared to children in the lowest quartile across all age groups. Children in the highest quartile had higher intakes of nut butters, legumes, fruits, and vegetables and consumed a greater percentage of grains as whole grains than those in the lowest quartile.ConclusionEncouraging intake of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nut butters, and at least 75% of grains as whole grains may help young children improve dietary fiber intake and overall diet quality.
Highlights
Increasing dietary fiber intake in children may improve overall diet quality
A higher percentage of children were in households with low annual earnings in the lowest quartile compared to the highest quartile among children aged 12–23.9 months
Our findings are consistent with O’Neil et al who found that intakes of fiber, folate, magnesium, vitamin B6, and vitamin A were higher while intakes of total fat and saturated fat were lower among 2 to 5 year old children who consumed at least 3 servings of whole grains per day compared to those who did not [14]
Summary
Increasing dietary fiber intake in children may improve overall diet quality. The purpose of this study was to compare nutrient intakes and sources of fiber between young children with low and high fiber intakes utilizing data from the Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS) 2016. Complementary food, which may include dietary fiber, is introduced around 6 months of age in the U.S, there was no available data on fiber intake in this age group at the time the most recent dietary reference intakes (DRIs) for dietary fiber were established, so no AI level was set [5]. The AI was set by extrapolating the adult ratio for the median energy intake for each age and gender group of children and translates to a level of 19 g per day for children aged 1 to 3 years, but the safety and feasibility of this recommended level has been questioned [5, 13, 20]
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