Children's Food Intake Research Articles

Modeling Nutrient Intakes for Current and Revised Daily Values of Children and Teens (4–18 Years) in the United States Population

Abstract Objectives In 2016, the United States (US) Food and Drug Administration updated the Daily Values (DVs) on the Nutrition Facts Label for packaged foods and beverages. Implementation of these changes is required by manufacturers in 2020–2021. This study modeled the possible impact of these changes on nutrient intake of children and teens from intrinsic and fortified food sources. Methods We used data from the 2009–2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) with the International Life Sciences Institute, North America Fortification Database, which identifies intrinsic, enriched, and fortified sources of nutrients in foods and beverages. In our sample of 5155 children and teens aged 4–18 yrs, we determined the usual intake (UI), % UI < the Estimated Average Requirement (% <EAR), and % ≥the Tolerable Upper Limit (% ≥ UL) based on the current DVs. We modeled estimated UI, % <EAR and % ≥ UL using the updated DVs for 10 micronutrients with the assumption that fortified food products will be reformatted to maintain current % DV claims. UI was based on two 24-hr recalls. Results Comparison of models of the current versus updated DVs overall, demonstrated increases in the UI for vitamins C, D and calcium; a decrease for vitamins A and B12; slight decreases for niacin, zinc and vitamin B6; and little change for thiamin and riboflavin. Conversely, the % <EAR increased for vitamins A, B6, B12 and zinc; slightly increased for thiamin, riboflavin and niacin; and decreased for calcium, vitamins C and D. The % ≥ UL decreased for zinc (20%), niacin (38%) and vitamin A (65%) and remained unchanged for other nutrients studied. Modeling of the % <EAR indicated that teens 14–18 yrs could be severely deficient in vitamins A, C and D. The updated DV helped mitigate this deficiency for vitamins C and D, but worsened it for vitamin A. Younger children (4–8 yrs) had the greatest impact in UI from the revised DV for vitamin C. Conclusions In 4–18 yr olds, our modeling predicts reductions in overall vitamin A intake, a recognized “shortfall nutrient”, with an especially large increase in % <EAR for teens 14–18 yrs. Teens at greatest risk are those currently dependent upon vitamin A fortified foods. Funding Sources This work was supported by the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) North America Fortification Committee. ILSI North America is a public, nonprofit science foundation.

A Review of the Role of Milk and Dairy Products in the Development of Obesity and Cardiometabolic Disease

Abstract Objectives The consumption of milk and dairy products makes an important contribution to children's nutrient intake, yet due to relatively high saturated fat content, the health benefits of dairy products have come under question and public health advice is often perceived as unclear. This review aimed to provide an overview of the current available evidence taken from systematic reviews and meta-analyses on dairy product consumption and risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in children, adolescents, and adults. Methods The literature of English-language systematic reviews and meta-analyses published up to September 2019 was reviewed by searching the following three databases: ISI Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar. Search terms included ‘dairy’, ‘milk’, ‘yogurt’, ‘obesity’, ‘adiposity’, ‘bodyweight’, ‘type 2 diabetes’, ‘cardiovascular diseases’, ‘coronary heart disease’, ‘blood pressure’, ‘insulin resistance’, ‘glucose’, ‘children’, ‘adolescents’, ‘adults’ and combinations of these. Published work on calcium supplementation was excluded. Results Milk and certain dairy products were found to be not associated with or inversely associated with obesity in children and adolescents. In adults, consumption of milk and dairy products improves body composition and enhances weight loss during energy restriction diets, while it has a neutral effect on body weight in maintenance diets. Prospective cohort studies suggest that the consumption of dairy products, with regular or low-fat content, does not adversely affect the risk of T2D or CVD outcomes and may have a protective effect. The plausible mechanisms underlying the effect of dairy nutrients on obesity and cardiometabolic disease are incompletely understood but may include effects on lipolysis, lipogenesis and fatty acid absorption. Conclusions Dairy product consumption, as part of a balanced diet, may protect against the risk of obesity, T2D, and CVD. However, further research is needed to better understand the role of different types of dairy products and of different fat content in obesity, T2D, and CVD. The new and emerging range of products (including plant-based alternatives) being used as dairy milk substitutes has yet to be evaluated in scientific studies. Funding Sources None.

Choline Intake in Malawian Children Aged 6–9 and 12–15 Months in an Egg Intervention Trial

Abstract Objectives Choline is an essential nutrient which may be important for child growth and development; however, data on intake among children in low and middle income countries are scarce. We aimed to describe choline intake among Malawian children age 6–9 and 12–15 months enrolled in an egg intervention trial. Methods The Mazira Project was a randomized controlled trial of the effect of daily egg consumption on growth and development in Malawian children. Children 6–9 months old were randomized to the intervention group, which received one egg/day for 6 months, or to the control group, which did not receive eggs. Data on children's complementary food intake were collected by 24-hour recall interview with the primary caregiver at baseline (6–9 months of age; n = 659) and at endline (12–15 months of age; n = 595). Choline from complementary foods was calculated based on local recipe and food composition tables. Breastmilk intake was approximated as the child's estimated energy requirement minus energy from complementary foods, and then multiplied by an assumed choline concentration. Total choline intake was compared to the Adequate Intake (AI) level. Contribution to choline intake by food source was calculated at each time point. Since eggs are high in choline, analysis was stratified by group at endline. Results The median (IQR) total choline intake at 6–9 months was 98.2 (77.7–120.6) mg. Breastmilk was the top contributor (80% of total choline), followed by maize (10%). At 12–15 months, median (IQR) choline intake in the egg group was 126.2 (91.9–166.2) mg and the main contributors were breastmilk (40%), eggs (29%) and maize (10%). Choline intake in the control group was lower, at 94.3 (63.3–118.1) mg, and was mainly from breastmilk (53%) and maize (15%). Median intake was below the AI at both ages; however, at 12–15 months, median intake was 65% of the AI in the egg group and only 47% in the control group. Conclusions Choline intake is low among the Malawian children in this sample, potentially putting them at risk for poor development. The egg intervention increased choline intake, specifically from eggs, but the median intake in this group was still below the AI. Funding Sources The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Egg Nutrition Center.

Changes in Thyroid and Glycemic Status and Food Intake in Children with Excess Weight Who Were Submitted for a Multi-Component School Intervention for 16 Months.

We investigated if children with excess weight who submitted to two types of intervention at school for 16 months showed improvements in thyroid and glycemic function and food intake. Children (8–11 years) with a body mass index-for-age (BMI/A) of ≥1 Z score were divided into two groups: Treatment 1 (n = 73) involved motivation to adopt healthier lifestyle; Treatment 2 (n = 103) involved performing weekly nutritional education, motivational, and physical activities at school. A semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire was used. The delta BMI/A were similar after 16 months; Treatment 1 showed higher decrease in thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH; median (range)): −0.45 (−3.19 to 2.17) and 0.06 (−4.57 to 1.63) mIU/L, p = 0.001), FreeT3 (−0.46 (−2.92 to 1.54) and −0.15 (−2.46 to 1.38) pmol/L, p = 0.038), and FreeT4 −1.41 (−6.18 to 3.47) and −0.90 (−4.89 to 2.96) pmol/L, p = 0.018), followed by decrease in energy intake (7304 (6806 to 7840) and 8267 (7739 to 8832) kJ, Ptreatment = 0.439, Ptime <0.001, interaction group–time p < 0.001), macronutrients and sugar. A positive correlation between FreeT3 and BMI/A, and a negative correlation with FreeT4 and insulin were found at baseline (r 0.212, p < 0.01; r −0.155, p < 0.01, respectively) and follow-up (r 0.222, p < 0.01; r −0.221, p < 0.01). The decrease in overall diet and particularly sugar intake was accompanied by a greater reduction in TSH and FreeT3 in Treatment 1, demonstrating the impact of dietary intake on thyroid function.

MAMAS: Supporting Parent--Child Mealtime Interactions Using Automated Tracking and Speech Recognition

Many parents of young children find it challenging to deal with their children's eating problems, and parent--child mealtime interaction is fundamental in forming children's healthy eating habits. In this paper, we present the results of a three-week study through which we deployed a mealtime assistant application, MAMAS, for monitoring parent--child mealtime conversation and food intake with 15 parent--child pairs. Our findings indicate that the use of MAMAS helped 1) increase children's autonomy during mealtime, 2) enhance parents' self-awareness of their words and behaviors, 3) promote the parent--child relationship, and 4) positively influence the mealtime experiences of the entire family. The study also revealed some challenges in eating behavior interventions due to the complex dynamics of childhood eating problems. Based on the findings, we discuss how a mealtime assistant application can be better designed for parents and children with challenging eating behaviors.

Changes in parental feeding practices and preschoolers’ food intake following a randomized controlled childhood obesity trial

Childhood obesity treatment involving parents is most effective during the preschool age. However, the mechanisms of change are not known. The present study reports on secondary outcomes (changes in parental feeding practices and child food intake) of early obesity treatment. The More and Less study is a randomized controlled trial conducted in Stockholm County, Sweden. Children with obesity (n = 174, mean BMI SDS 3.0, mean age 5 years, 56% girls) and their parents (60% with foreign background, 40% with a university degree) were randomized to: 1) standard treatment focusing on lifestyle recommendations (ST), 2) a parent support program with boosters (PGB), and 3) a parent support program without boosters (PGNB). The Child Feeding Questionnaire (CFQ) was used to measure parental feeding practices. Child food intake was assessed with a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). We calculated the monthly changes in CFQ practices and FFQ items based on four measurements. We did not find any significant between-group differences in parental feeding practices and child food intake over time. However, general linear models showed that changes in certain feeding practices predicted changes in child food intake. When ST was compared to the parent support groups, some associations moved in opposite directions. For example, increasing maternal restriction predicted increased consumption of cookies/buns in PGNB (b = 2.3, p < 0.05) and decreased consumption of cookies/buns in ST (b = −2.1, p < 0.05). This is among the few studies to examine the effect of parental feeding practices on child food intake and weight status after obesity treatment among preschoolers. We found no evidence that changes in feeding practices or changes in child food intake mediated child weight loss. Future studies should consider other intermediary processes related to general parenting practices and parent-child interactions.

Pre-meal active video game playing increased subjective appetite but not food intake in children and adolescents

ObjectiveSedentary video game playing (VGP) and caloric preloads in the pre-meal environment have been shown to influence short-term food intake (FI) regulation in children. Other factors that may affect FI control include physical activity and/or heightened emotion. Therefore, we examined the effects of a glucose preload and 30 min of active VGP (aVGP) on subjective appetite, short-term FI, and subjective emotions in 9-14 year-old children. MethodsOn four test mornings approximately one-week apart, twenty-seven children (sex: 15M, 12F; age: 11.3 ± 0.3 years; BMI percentile: 55.3 ± 6.1%) consumed a standardized breakfast two hours prior to consuming 250 mL of either a 50 g glucose preload or Sucralose® control. Following the preload, participants participated in 30 min of quiet sitting or aVGP. Energy expenditure was measured during aVGP via indirect calorimetry. FI from an ad libitum pizza meal was measured after each test condition. Subjective appetite and emotions were measured at baseline (0 min), during treatment (15min), and immediately before the test meal (30 min). ResultsaVGP did not affect FI, but the glucose preload decreased FI compared with the sucralose control (∆ = 157 kcal, <0.001). Although not statistically significant (p=0.12), caloric compensation was lower following the glucose preload in the aVGP condition. Subjective appetite increased with time, and was higher in the sucralose control + aVGP condition (p=0.05). Change from baseline subjective emotion scores of anger and excitement were higher (p=0.03) and lower (p=0.02) after aVGP, respectively. ConclusionsNeither short-term FI nor net energy balance were affected by low-intensity aVGP (energy expenditure of 34 kcal). These findings suggest that a short bout of low-intensity aVGP does not alter energy balance during the study measurement period, and may not support achieving or maintaining healthy weights in children. However, future longitudinal studies are needed to confirm such advice.

Exploring the effects of positive and negative emotions on eating behaviours in children and young adults

ABSTRACT It is well established that stress can elicit change in a range of eating behaviours, however, less is known about these effects in children and young adults. In addition, there is a growing interest in investigating the role of positive as well as negative emotions as triggers of food intake in children. Therefore, the current study aimed to explore the relationship between positive and negative emotions and eating behaviour in children (aged 9–10 years old) and young adults together with the moderating effects of eating styles (emotional and external eating). A questionnaire design was used to investigate the effects of positive and negative emotions on snacking responses in children and young adults (children, N = 53, young adults, N = 72). Eating styles were assessed using the Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire. We found that children reported wanting to eat more snacks in response to positive emotions, while young adults reported wanting to eat more snacks in response to negative emotions. Emotional and external eating styles moderated the positive and negative emotions – eating response relationship. Future research should include both positive and negative emotions when examining the influence of stress and emotions on eating, particularly when exploring the triggers of food intake amongst children.

Dietary diversity and food intake of urban preschool children in North-Western Sri Lanka.

Childhood malnutrition, associated with poor diet, is a clear public health threat in Sri Lanka, with high rates of under‐nutrition and micronutrient deficiencies coupled with the growing risk of overweight/obesity in urban locations. This study explored the dietary diversity and food intake of urban living Sri Lankan preschool children. A cross‐sectional analysis of the baseline data from a cohort study was conducted with parents/caregivers of children aged 2–6 years, from 21 preschool centres in Kurunegala District, Sri Lanka. Demographic and socio‐economic factors, dietary diversity score (DDS) (n = 597) and food intake (n = 458) (using a food frequency questionnaire) were assessed. Children had a mean DDS of 4.56 ± 0·85 out of 9, with most (91.1%) in the medium DDS category (DDS of 3.1–6.0), consuming rice as most common food. Lentils were consumed more than any meat or alternative food groups at all DDS levels. Child DDS differs with parent/caregiver age and ethnicity. Mean daily intakes of fruit (1.02) and vegetables (0.84) servings align with approximately half of national recommendations, with less than 20% of children meeting daily recommendations. More than one‐third consumed sugary snacks and confectionaries daily and 1 in 10 had them twice a day. Around 40% reported watching television while eating the evening meal. Despite the majority having reasonable DDSs (medium category), findings highlighted inadequate intakes of fruits and vegetables, excessive intakes of sugary snacks and unhealthy dietary and social behaviours, suggests the need for population‐based interventions to promote healthier dietary habits.

Parenting styles and the dietary intake of pre-school children: a systematic review

Objective: The prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity has been increasing globally, with poor diet a key contributor. Parents play an influential role over the food intake of young children. This review explores whether parenting styles (authoritative, authoritarian, permissive and disengaged) or parenting dimensions (warmth and control) are associated with pre-school children’s dietary intake.Design: Following the PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search of six electronic databases was conducted. Included articles were based on children aged 2-5 years and reported associations between parenting styles or dimensions and children’s food intake. Two independent reviewers extracted the data and assessed the quality of the articles.Main outcome measures: Pre-school children’s dietary intake.Results: Seven articles met the inclusion criteria. Six of the seven articles found evidence of at least one association between parenting styles or parenting dimensions and children’s dietary intake. Several different measurement tools were used to identify parenting styles (n = 3) and dietary intake (n = 6), with reliability and validity reported in varying ways. The quality score of the articles ranged from 33% to 58%.Conclusion: Overall, an authoritative parenting style or higher levels of warmth appear to be associated with healthier dietary intakes among pre-school children.

Addressing mealtime behaviours of children with autism spectrum disorders in schools: a qualitative study with educators in Mumbai, India

This study was conducted to explore the experiences of educators with mealtime behaviours of children with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in schools, and to explore the strategies undertaken in schools to improve nutrition among these children. In-depth interviews were conducted with 13 educators of various special schools across Mumbai. They described their experiences with 3–11 year-old children with a diagnosis of ASD. Four themes emerged from this study: reasons for disruptive mealtime behaviours, using mealtimes as opportunities for indirect learning, strategies used to avoid disruptive mealtime behaviours, and school policies regarding food and nutrition. The presence of sensory stressors, changes in break-time schedules, and inability to communicate hunger were identified as main reasons for disruptive mealtime behaviours in the classroom. Strategies to tackle these behaviours were discussed. Most educators reported that their school followed a strict ‘no junk-food’ policy. The perspective of educators is important to understand the mealtime behaviours of children with ASD in school settings. The initiatives taken at the school-level are valuable as they provide a different approach and diverse strategies that may work to improve the food intake and nutrition of children with ASD.

Food intake and infectious diseases among malnutrition toddlers in rural area of Muna Regency

This study aims to look at the relationship between food intake and infectious diseases with the incidence of malnutrition in rural toddlers. The study was conducted using a cross-sectional study design. Daily food intake was collected using the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) method. Measurement of body weight and body length is done by enumerators who have been trained. This study found that there was a significant relationship between food intake and nutritional status of children under five years because p-value <0.05, with RR=3.17 (95% CI=1.22-8.25), there was a relationship which is meaningful between infectious diseases and nutritional status because of the p-value <0.05, with a RR value of 2.6 (95% CI=1.01-6.73). Food intake among malnutrition children was much lower than the recommended daily allowance. Infectious diseases are found prevalent among malnutrition children.

Fast food intake and excess weight gain over a 1-year period among preschool-age children.

Fast food is cross-sectionally associated with having overweight and obesity in young children. To examine whether fast food intake independently contributes to the development of overweight and obesity among preschool-age children. Prospective cohort of 3- to 5-year-old children (n = 541) followed for 1 year. Children's height and weight were objectively measured at baseline and study end. Parents reported their child's fast food intake frequency in the past week from 11 chain fast food restaurants in six online follow-up surveys, completed approximately 8 weeks apart. Poisson regression with robust standard errors modelled the risk of a child increasing in weight status (ie, transitioning from a having a healthy weight to having overweight or from having overweight to having obesity) over the study period in relation to their average weekly fast food intake, adjusted for sociodemographics, child obesogenic behaviours, and parent weight status. At baseline, 18.1% of children had overweight and 9.8% had obesity; 8.1% of children transitioned to a greater weight status over the 1-year period. Mean fast food intake frequency among consumers was 2.1 (SD: 1.4) times per week. The risk of increasing in weight status increased linearly with each additional time fast food was consumed in an average week over the study year (RR: 1.38; 95% CI, 1.13-1.67; P < .01). Greater fast food intake over 1 year was associated with increasing weight status during that time in this preschool-age cohort.

Association Between Caregiver's Perception of "Good" Dietary Habits and Food Group Intake Among Preschool Children in Tokyo, Japan.

Given that parents are mainly responsible for a preschooler's dietary management, they need to understand a child's diet. However, few studies have examined the association between parental perception of a preschool child's “good” dietary habits and actual food intake. We conducted a cross-sectional study investigating whether a child's food intake would differ depending on the caregiver's perception of their child's dietary habits among 4-year-old nursery school children at Adachi City, Tokyo, Japan. Children's dietary data were collected using the brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire for children Aged 3–6 Years (BDHQ3y), while caregivers' perceptions of their child's dietary habits (good, normal, and poor) were inquired (N = 136). The percentage of caregivers who perceived their child's dietary habit as good, normal, and poor was 41.2, 40.4, and 18.4%, respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that children whose caregivers perceived their diet as poor showed lower intakes of vegetables [β = −48.7, 95% confidence interval (CI): −86.1 to −11.2], beans (β = −13.2, 95% CI: −26.1 to −0.3), and fish and shellfish (β = −9.2, 95% CI: −17.5 to −1.0) and higher intakes of fat and oil (β = 1.7, 95% CI: 0.4 to 3.1), confectionaries (β = 11.9, 95% CI: 3.6 to 20.3), and soft drinks (β = 31.2, 95% CI: 3.5 to 59.0) compared to children whose caregivers perceived their diet as good (all measures are in g/1,000 kcal per day). No significant difference was observed in other food groups, such as dairy products, an important source of protein and calcium for children. The current study may therefore guide future nutritional education programs for parents of preschool children.

Are parental dietary patterns associated with children\u2019s overweight and obesity in China?

BackgroundIt is believed that parents have a great influence on their children’s dietary behaviours. However, it is not clear whether parental food patterns are associated with children’s nutritional status in China, which includes a vast territory with rich, diverse cultures. The goal of this project is to systematically study the associations between parental food intake and children’s overweight and obesity in China, according to children’s ages and regional differences.MethodsBased on individual food consumption data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) package in 2011, cross-sectional studies have previously been conducted to analyse the association between different categories of food intake of parents and children. The current study extends this research by directly.ResultsOur analysis results show that parental food intake is highly correlated with children’s food intake, with the estimated coefficients of most food intake categories being greater than 0.5. Furthermore, this association between parental food intake and children’s overweight and obesity is most significant in young children, but it begins to weaken in relation to children aged between 13 and 18. Additionally, the associations between parental food intake and children’s overnutrition are more significant in rural areas than they are in urban areas.ConclusionsThe association between parental food intake and childhood overweight and obesity is significant, although it varies considerably according to food categories, children’s ages and area differences. These results show promise for intervening in the overnutrition of children by controlling household dietary patterns according to children’s developmental stages and regional differences.

The role of meat in the European diet: current state of knowledge on dietary recommendations, intakes and contribution to energy and nutrient intakes and status.

The role of meat in the diet has come under scrutiny recently due to an increased public emphasis on providing healthy diets from sustainable food systems and due to health concerns relating to the consumption of red and processed meat. The present review aimed to summarise dietary guidelines relating to meat, actual meat intakes and the contribution of meat to energy and nutrient intakes of children, teenagers and adults in Europe. The available literature has shown that food-based dietary guidelines for most countries recommend consuming lean meat in moderation and many recommend limiting red and processed meat consumption. Mean intakes of total meat in Europe range from 40 to 160 g/d in children and teenagers and from 75 to 233 g/d in adults. Meat contributes to important nutrients such as protein, PUFA, B vitamins, vitamin D and essential minerals such as Fe and Zn; however, processed meat contributes to significant proportions of saturated fat and Na across population groups. While few data are available on diaggregated intakes of red and processed meat, where data are available, mean intakes in adults are higher than the upper limits recommended by the UK Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (70 g/d) and the World Cancer Research Fund (500 g/week). While there are no recommendations for red and processed meat consumption in children and teenagers, intakes currently range from 30 to 76 g/d. The present review provides a comprehensive overview of the role of meat in the European diet which may be of use to stakeholders including researchers, policy makers and the agri-food sector.

Food and nutrient intake of children and adolescents living in Germany: results from EsKiMo II

AbstractIntroductionAn appropriate diet is particularly important for development, growth and health of children and adolescents. The living and social environments, as well as the food market and dietary habits have changed in recent decades. The second “Eating Study as a KiGGS Module” EsKiMo II (2015–2017) provides a current overview of the food and nutrient intake of children and adolescents living in Germany.Material and MethodsAbout ten years after EsKiMo I (2006; N = 2,506), EsKiMo II (2015–2017) investigated the dietary behavior of 2,644 children and adolescents aged six to 17 years who previously participated in the second wave of the “German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents” (KiGGS Wave 2) of the Robert Koch Institute. Food intake of the 6–11 year-olds was assessed by weighted food records on three consecutive days and one independent day. Adolescents (12–17 years) were interviewed about their food intake during the past four weeks using the Dietary Interview Software for Health Examination Studies (DISHES). Individual food group intake was compared with the food based dietary guidelines for children and adolescents in Germany. Energy and nutrient intake was calculated using the German Nutrient Database (BLS 3.02); intake from supplements was included. Individual intakes were compared with the Estimated Average Requirements (EAR) for Nordic countries.ResultsMost children and adolescents do not achieve the recommendation for fruits, vegetables, and milk/dairy products, whereas the maximal recommended intake of meat and “tolerated foods”, such as sweets and soft-drinks, is exceeded by almost all children and adolescents.The mean energy intake proportions (En%) for macronutrients correspond to the reference values. The majority of children and adolescents have intakes above the EAR for most micronutrients, except for iodine and vitamin D for all age groups and gender, and iron for the 12–17-year-old girls.DiscussionEsKiMo II observed that the majority of the 6–17-year-olds is adequately supplied with macronutrients and most vitamins and minerals. Vitamin D and iodine supply are critical for all age groups and gender. However, there is much potential to improve food consumption patterns. These results are relevant for decision-making, and evaluation of nutrition, consumer and health policies.

EVALUATION OF FOOD INTAKE, WEIGHT AND BODY COMPOSITION IN CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY / AVALIAÇÃO DA INGESTÃO ALIMENTAR, PESO E COMPOSIÇÃO CORPORAL EM CRIANÇAS COM PARALISIA CEREBRAL

Aim: We investigated food intake, weight and body composition evaluation in children with cerebral palsy. Method: A case - series study was conducted involving 53 children with mild to moderate motor impairment. Food intake was estimated and bioimpedance was used to determine body composition, with the calculation of the free fat mass index and fat mass index (FMI). The anthropometric profile was determined using z-scores of the following indices: height-for-age (zH/A), weight-for-age (zW/A) and body mass index-for-age (zBMI/A). Results: Height deficit was found in 7.5% of the children. Excess weight was found in 20.8% (zW/A) and 30.2% (zBMI/A). The prevalence of underweight was 7.5% (zW/A) and 5.7% (zBMI/A). Excess fat mass was found in 77.4%. No associations were found between excess fat mass or fat-free mass and excess weight or calorie intake. Height was positively correlated with age, mobility and zH/A. FMI was positively correlated with age and height. Lipid intake was positively correlated with age, height and FMI. Conclusion : The nutritional status and food intake of the children analyzed in the study was similar to that of children without neurological disease, possibly due to the lower degree of motor impairment.

A Literature Review of Eating Behaviors and Nutrient Intake of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

본 연구는 자폐스펙트럼장애 아동의 식행동 및 영양섭취 관련 선행연구에 대한 고찰 및 분석을 통해 자폐스펙트럼장애 아동의 건강한 식생활 지원을 위한 향후 과제에 주는 시사점을 모색하고자 하였다. 이를 위해 지난 15년 동안 발표된 선행연구 총 26편을 선정하고, 선정된 논문의 전반적 연구 동향과 자폐스펙트럼장애 아동의 식행동 및 영양섭취 특성을 분석하였다. 선행연구의 분석결과는 다음과 같다. 첫째, 대부분의 선행연구들은 자폐스펙트럼장애 아동과 일반아동의 식행동을 비교하여 자폐스펙트럼장애 아동의 비전형적인 특성을 조사하였다. 둘째, 연구자료 수집은 주로 부모가 질문지에 응답하거나 부모의 아동 관찰을 통해 이루어졌다. 셋째, 여러 선행연구에서 자폐스펙트럼장애 아동의 식행동과 개인변인 간에 관계가 있음을 보고하였으나, 그들의 식행동과 가족변인 간의 관계를 조사한 연구는 상대적으로 부족하였다. 넷째, 자폐스펙트럼장애 아동의 영양섭취 및 영양상태에 대한 연구는 그 편수가 많지 않고, 몇몇 선행연구는 상충된 결과를 보고 하기도 하였다. 본 연구의 분석결과를 토대로 자폐스펙트럼장애 아동의 식행동 및 영양관련 향후 연구과제에 대한 시사점이 논의되었다.This study was to review literature on eating behaviors and nutrient intake in children with autism spectrum disorders, and provide directions for future research. Twenty-six studies published over the last 15 years were identified and analyzed. The results of this synthesis indicated that the majority of the studies focused on comparing eating behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorders to those of children without autism spectrum disorders, and identified atypical eating behaviors of children with autism spectrum disorders. The common procedure for collecting information about the eating behaviors and nutrient intake of children with autism spectrum disorders was a questionnaire and observations. Overall, the studies exhibited that there were relationships between individual variables and eating behaviors of children with autism spectrum disorders, but few studies examined relationships between family variables and eating behaviors of children with autism spectrum disorders. There were also a small number of studies of nutrient intake and nutritional adequacy among children with autism spectrum disorders, and several studies produced conflicting results. Based on the findings, the future directions for eating behaviors and nutrition of children with autism spectrum disorders were discussed.

Impacto de uma alimentação rica em açúcar e das condições socioeconômicas na experiência da cárie em crianças e adultos jovens

Objetivo: Avaliar a associação entre a prevalência de cárie dentária em relação a frequência de consumo de alimentos ricos em açúcar, condições socioeconômicas e escolaridade dos pais de crianças e adultos jovens. Material e Métodos: Aplicou-se questionários socioeconômicos com pais e/ou responsáveis de 36 crianças e adolescentes na faixa etária entre 7 e 20 anos de um clube do Município de Alegre - ES. A cárie dentária foi avaliada através do Índice de Dentes Cariados, Perdidos e Obturados (CPO-D) e a placa bacteriana por meio do Índice de Higiene Oral Simplificado (IOHS). Posteriormente, realizaram-se palestras e atividades educativas de higiene bucal e de educação nutricional. Reavaliou-se então índice de placa bacteriana duas semanas após a intervenção. Para avaliação estatística usou-se regressão logística para testar associações e teste t pareado para índice de placa bacteriana. Resultados: Do total de crianças avaliadas, 67% apresentou história pregressa e atual de cárie, na qual a mediana do CPO-D encontrado foi de 2. Para a avaliação do índice de placa bacteriana, observou-se que a intervenção apresentou efetividade (p&lt;0,05) uma vez que IHOS inicial foi de 1,98 e o final foi de 1,43. Conclusão: Foi encontrada alta prevalência de COP-D polarizado na amostra avaliada, e também detectado que as ações de educação em saúde foram efetivas na redução de placa bacteriana