Provincial Dietary Intake Study (PDIS): Energy and Macronutrient Intakes of Children in a Representative/Random Sample of 1–&lt;10-Year-Old Children in Two Economically Active and Urbanized Provinces in South Africa

Nelia P Steyn,Marjanne Senekal,Sonia Malczyk,Johanna H Nel,Linda Drummond

doi:10.3390/ijerph17051717

Abstract

The double burden of malnutrition is still prevalent in South Africa, hence the importance of a dietary survey to identify risks of under- and over-nutrition. A multistage stratified cluster random sampling design was applied in two economically active provinces, Gauteng (GTG) (N = 733) and Western Cape (WC) (N = 593). Field workers completed questionnaires, and a 24 h recall with children taking part aged 1–<10-years (N = 1326). Important findings were that 71% and 74%, respectively, of 3–<6-year-olds and 6–<10-year-olds had an energy intake below the estimated energy requirement (EER), while 66% 1–<3-year-olds had intakes above the EER. The percentage of children with a total fat intake below recommended levels decreased as age increased ((51%, 40% and 5%) respectively, for the three age groups). Similarly, the percentage of those who had a total fat intake above the recommendation increased with increasing age (4%, 11% and 26%, respectively, for the three age groups). Saturated fat intake above 10%E was highest in the youngest and oldest children (33% and 32%, respectively). The percentage of children with a free sugars intake above 10%E was 47%, 48% and 52% respectively, and 98–99% had a fibre intake that was less than recommended. Overall, the diet was not healthy, with the main food items being very refined, and the diet being high in salty snacks and sugary items, and low in fruit, vegetables and legumes.

Highlights

IntroductionThe growing challenges faced by many low- and middle-income countries are the fact that undernutrition, stunting and micronutrient deficiencies, are still prevalent, while at the same time there is a growing problem of overweight and obesity, both in adults and children [1,2,3,4,5]
The growing challenges faced by many low- and middle-income countries are the fact that undernutrition, stunting and micronutrient deficiencies, are still prevalent, while at the same time there is a growing problem of overweight and obesity, both in adults and children [1,2,3,4,5].De Onis and Mendez [6] have indicated that stunting, which is the most prevalent form of malnutrition, is the best indicator of a child’s wellbeing
The father was the head of the household in 40% of homes, followed by the grandmother

Summary

Introduction

The growing challenges faced by many low- and middle-income countries are the fact that undernutrition, stunting and micronutrient deficiencies, are still prevalent, while at the same time there is a growing problem of overweight and obesity, both in adults and children [1,2,3,4,5]. De Onis and Mendez [6] have indicated that stunting, which is the most prevalent form of malnutrition, is the best indicator of a child’s wellbeing. It has been shown that growth faltering, which frequently starts in utero and continues into the first two years of life, is associated with many pathological disorders including reduced neurodevelopment and adverse cognitive development. Stunted children may become obese adults, who in turn are more at risk of developing. Public Health 2020, 17, 1717; doi:10.3390/ijerph17051717 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion