Children's Intake Research Articles

Child temperament is associated with energy intake and its day-to-day variability among preschoolers-Results from a cross-sectional DAGIS study.

Although research has linked children's temperament with weight outcomes, the associations between temperament and dietary outcomes, particularly energy intake, remain understudied. Furthermore, little is known about how temperament is associated with diet in the early childhood education and care (ECEC) context, which is an important environment for many children. This study examined whether temperament is associated with mean energy intake and its day-to-day variability. In addition, the associations were examined separately in the contexts of home and ECEC. The study used data from 505 Finnish children from a cross-sectional DAGIS study conducted in 2015-2016. Parents reported their child's temperament with a questionnaire and food consumption with a food record for two weekdays (outside daycare hours) and one weekend day. Early educators at an ECEC centre reported the child's food consumption during the daycare hours on the same weekdays as the parents kept food records at home. Associations were examined with linear regression models. Children with higher surgency had a higher mean daily energy intake. When examined separately at home and in the ECEC centre, the association was found only in the ECEC centre. Children with higher negative affectivity had greater day-to-day variability in energy intake. This association, however, was not observed when examined separately at home and at the ECEC centre. The results indicate that temperament may shape children's energy intake. Moreover, the role of the ECEC context in children's eating may be different depending on a child's temperamental dispositions, which warrants further research.

Factors Affecting Nutritional Status of Children with Down Syndrome of 7 to 12 Year-Old in Medan

Background: Despite the increasing prevalence of overnutrition, the increasing number of children with Down syndrome, followed by the higher risk of children with Down syndrome to experience overnutrition, research conducted on factors that influence the nutritional status of children with Down syndrome is still limited in Indonesia. This research was conducted to look at the comparison of factors affecting the nutritional status of children with Down syndrome in the 7-12-year-old age group in Medan.Subjects dan Method: This research is an analytical cross-sectional study design. This research was conducted by distributing questionnaires to mothers of children with Down syndrome at POTADS Medan. The sampling method used is purposive sampling and data that meets the inclusion and exclusion criteria is selected. The number of samples were 30 children with Down syndrome. The data is then analyzed with Spearman’s correlation using SPSS with children’s nutritional status as the dependent factor and paternal education, maternal education, total parents’ earnings, children's energy intake, children’s diet quality, children’s physical activity, and maternal nutritional knowledge as the independent factors.Results: Correlations were found between the nutritional status of the children and paternal education (p= 0.019; r= -0.42), between children’s nutritional status and children's energy intake (p= 0.002; r= 0.55), and between children’s nutritional status and children’s diet quality (p= 0.015; r= -0.44) with confidence interval at 95%.Conclusion: Strong negative correlation against children’s nutritional status was found in paternal education and children's diet quality, while strong positive correlation was found in children’s energy intake. Indirect correlations against nutritional status were found in maternal education, parents’ total income, and maternal nutritional knowledge score. Keywords: down syndrome, diet quality, bmi. Correspondence: Reynard Andrew. Universitas Sumatera Utara, Jalan Dr. T. Mansur No.9, Padang Bulan, Kec. Medan Baru, Kota Medan, Sumatera Utara 20222, Indonesia. Email: reydrew7@gmail.com. Mobile: +6285361991111.

Nutrient intake and nutritional status of 4-10-year-old Hungarian children

The growing trend of childhood obesity is a major public health issue. Collaborations between medical and healthcare professionals, preventive and health preservative programs, dietary habit and nutrient intake studies are indispensable. A representative study has been performed among 4-10-year-old Hungarian children by gender, age, size of settlement and region. The study included 733 assessable questionnaires and 666 dietary records. Data on children's eating habits were collected by using the internationally recommended three-day dietary record method. Body weight and height measurements were taken for each child to determine nutritional status. Data were analyzed with statistical methods. The rate of overweight and obesity is 23%. Energy intake differs significantly between body mass index groups. The children's fat intake is excessive (34.2 energy%), the saturated fatty acid intake exceeds the recommended 10 energy%, omega fatty acid ratio is disadvantageous and the children's cholesterol intake is high. The average energy from carbohydrates is below the recommended 57 energy%, from added sugar it is 11%, which affects 52% of the children. Their low fibre intake (19.4 g/day) is due to low fruit, vegetable (263 g/day) and whole grain consumption. Of the micronutrients, sodium intake is 3-4 times higher than the recommended. In 35% of the children, the calcium intake is below the critical threshold, due to unfavourable milk and milk product consumption (290 g/day). Vitamin D intake was low in 98-100% of the children. Compared to the results of other European and national studies performed among children, adolescent and adults, the nutritional status and nutrient intake of our sample is unfavourable. Comprehensive intervention, education of the children with the involvement of their parents is essential to reduce obesity. Orv Hetil. 2023; 164(14): 533-540.

In vitro gastrointestinal digestion of whole grain noodles supplemented with soluble dietary fiber and their effects on children fecal microbiota

In order to increase children's daily intake of dietary fiber and protein, the effects of soluble dietary fiber (SDF) supplement including high-amylose corn starch (HACS), inulin, fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), galactose oligosaccharides (GOS), β-glucan (BG), arabinogalactan (AG), arabinoxylan (AX), and xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) on protein digestion of multigrain noodles and the fecal microbiota of school-age children were evaluated by in vitro digestion and fermentation in this study. The addition of SDF in multigrain noodles retained a high protein content, which is beneficial for children intake. Except HACS and inulin, the addition of other SDFs significantly increased protein hydrolysis (p < 0.05) during gastrointestinal digestion, which will enhance the protein digestion for the children. In addition, noodles (after digestion) containing SDF could reduce fermentation pH, increase short-chain fatty acid levels, and regulate microbiota composition during in vitro fermentation for 24 h. Noodles with HACS resulted in the highest short-chain fatty acids production during fermentation. Noodles containing FOS, GOS and HACS significantly increased the abundance of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and Clostridium-sensu_stricto_1 (p < 0.05) at genus level in fecal microbiota during fermentation. Results indicated that FOS, GOS and HACS are more suitable to be added to multigrain noodles to improve protein and fiber intake for school-age children.

The effects of snack foods of different energy density on self-served portions and consumption in preschool children

It is recommended that preschoolers serve themselves their own food portions; however, it is unclear what factors influence the amount they select for consumption, and particularly how their selected portions are influenced by food properties such as energy density, volume, and weight. We offered preschool children snacks differing in energy density (ED) and investigated the effects on the amounts they served and then consumed. In a crossover design, 52 children aged 4–6 y (46% girls; 21% overweight) ate an afternoon snack on 2 days in their childcare classrooms. Before each snack time, children served the amount they would like to eat of 4 snacks presented in equal volumes but differing in ED (higher-ED: pretzels, cookies; lower-ED: strawberries, carrots). Across the 2 sessions, children were given their self-served amount of either pretzels (3.9 kcal/g) or strawberries (0.3 kcal/g) and intake was measured. Later, children tasted all 4 snacks and rated liking. Results showed that the portions children served themselves were influenced by their liking ratings (p = 0.0006), but after accounting for liking, the volumes they served were similar for all 4 foods (p = 0.27). At snack time, children ate a greater proportion of self-served strawberries (92 ± 4%) than pretzels (73 ± 4%; p = 0.0003), but because of the ED difference they consumed 55 ± 4 kcal more from pretzels than strawberries (p < 0.0001). The difference in snack intake by volume was not attributable to liking ratings (p = 0.87). That children served a consistent volume of similarly-liked snacks suggests that their portions were affected more by visual cues than by weight or energy content. Despite eating a greater volume of lower-ED strawberries, children consumed more energy from the higher-ED pretzels, highlighting the contribution of energy density to children's energy intake.

Complications and outcomes of gastrostomy versus nasogastric tube feeding in paediatric allogeneic bone marrow transplant: A prospective cohort study

The intensive conditioning regimens administered during bone marrow transplant (BMT) frequently cause mucositis, gastrointestinal toxicity and reduced oral intake. Children are consequently at risk of malnutrition. First-line nutrition support is recommended as enteral nutrition (EN). Nasogastric tube (NGT) is the mainstay for administration. Gastrostomies provide an alternative, but there is limited evidence of their efficacy and safety in paediatric BMT. This study aimed to compare enteral tube complications and nutritional and clinical outcomes between children with a gastrostomy versus NGT throughout BMT. A prospective cohort study was conducted at a single centre in the United Kingdom. During pre-admission consultations families were offered choice of a prophylactic gastrostomy or NGT. Children undergoing allogeneic BMT were recruited from April 2021 to April 2022. Data compared between children with either tube included: tube complications, change in weight, body mass index and mid-upper-arm circumference, calorie, protein and fluid intake, timing and use of EN and parenteral nutrition, survival, graft-versus-host disease and length of admission. Following BMT, data were collected weekly for the first six weeks from electronic records, monthly thereafter from 3-day averaged food diaries and clinic assessments, until six months post-BMT. Nineteen children with NGT were compared to 24 with a gastrostomy. Of gastrostomy complications, 94.2% (129/137) were minor, mechanical issues being most common (80/137). Dislodgement comprised 80.2% (109/136) of NGT complications. No significant differences were seen between tubes on nutritional, anthropometric and clinical outcomes. Gastrostomies were popular with families, relatively safe, associated with mostly minor complications and similarly effective as NGTs in supporting children's nutritional intake and status. Where an NGT may not be tolerated, a prophylactic gastrostomy could be considered. Placement of either tube requires balancing their risks, benefits, the child's nutritional status, conditioning, expected duration of EN and family preferences.

Effects of a mobile health nutrition intervention on dietary intake in children who have autism spectrum disorder.

Children who have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) show preferences for processed foods, such as salty and sugary snacks (SSS) and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB), while healthier foods, such as fruits and vegetables (FV), are consumed less. Innovative tools are needed that can efficiently disseminate evidence-based interventions and engage autistic children to improve their diet. The aim of this 3-month randomized trial was to test the initial efficacy of a mobile health (mHealth) nutrition intervention on changing consumption of targeted healthy (FV) and less healthy foods/beverages (SSS, SSB) in children who have ASD, ages 6-10, who were picky eaters. Thirty-eight parent-child dyads were randomly assigned to either an intervention (technology) group or a wait list control (education) group. The intervention included behavioral skills training, a high level of personalization for dietary goals, and involved parents as "agents of change." Parents in the education group received general nutrition education and the dietary goals but did not receive skills training. Children's intake was assessed at baseline and at 3 months using 24-hour dietary recalls. While there were no significant group-by-time interactions (P > 0.25) for any of the primary outcomes, we found a significant main effect of time for FV intake (P = 0.04) indicating that both groups consumed more FV at 3 months (2.58 ± 0.30 servings/day) than at baseline (2.17 ± 0.28 servings/day; P = 0.03). Children in the intervention group who consumed few FV at baseline and showed high engagement with the technology increased their FV intake by 1.5 servings/day (P < 0.01). Children's taste/smell sensitivity significantly predicted their FV intake (P = 0.0446); for each unit of lower taste/smell sensitivity (indicating greater sensory processing abnormalities), FV intake increased by 0.13 ± 0.1 servings/day. This mHealth intervention did not yield significant between-group differences for changing consumption of targeted foods/beverages. Only children who consumed few FV at baseline and highly engaged with the technology increased their FV intake at 3 months. Future research should test additional strategies to expand the intervention's impact on a wider range of foods while also reaching a broader group of children who have ASD. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03424811.Clinical Trial Registration: This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03424811.

Evaluation of a state-wide intervention on salt intake in primary schoolchildren living in Victoria, Australia.

In 2015, the Victorian Salt Reduction Partnership launched a 4-year multifaceted salt reduction intervention designed to reduce salt intake by 1 g/d in children and adults living in Victoria, Australia. Child-relevant intervention strategies included a consumer awareness campaign targeting parents and food industry engagement seeking to reduce salt levels in processed foods. This study aimed to assess trends in salt intake, dietary sources of salt and discretionary salt use in primary schoolchildren pre- and post-delivery of the intervention. Repeated cross-sectional surveys were completed at baseline (2010-2013) and follow-up (2018-2019). Salt intake was measured via 24-h urinary Na excretion, discretionary salt use behaviours by self-report and sources of salt by 24-h dietary recall. Data were analysed with multivariable-adjusted regression models. Victoria, Australia. Children aged 4-12 years. Complete 24-h urine samples were collected from 666 children at baseline and 161 at follow-up. Mean salt intake remained unchanged from baseline (6·0; se 0·1 g/d) to follow-up (6·1; 0·4 g/d) (P = 0·36), and there were no clear differences in the food sources of salt and at both time points approximately 70 % of children exceeded Na intake recommendations. At follow-up, 14 % more parents (P = 0·001) reported adding salt during cooking, but child use of table salt and inclusion of a saltshaker on the table remained unchanged. These findings show no beneficial effect of the Victorian Salt Reduction Partnership intervention on children's salt intake. More intensive, sustained and coordinated efforts between state and federal stakeholders are required.

Intake of Different Types of Fatty Acids in Infancy Is Not Associated with Growth, Adiposity, or Cardiometabolic Health up to 6 Years of Age

Background: Studies in adults indicate that a lower saturated and higher unsaturated fat intake is associated with a lower risk of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases. However, studies on fat intake in relation to cardiometabolic health during childhood are scarce.Objective: We examined associations between dietary intake of fatty acids (FAs) at age 1 y and measures of growth, adiposity, and cardiometabolic health up to age 6 y.Methods: This study was conducted in 2927 children participating in the Generation R Study, a multiethnic, prospective, population-based cohort in the Netherlands. We measured children's total fat intake and intakes of saturated FAs (SFAs), monounsaturated FAs (MUFAs), and polyunsaturated FAs (PUFAs) at a median age of 12.9 mo (95% range: 12.2, 18.9 mo) with a food-frequency questionnaire. We repeatedly measured their height and weight up to age 6 y. At 6 y of age, we measured body fat percentage, diastolic and systolic blood pressure, and serum insulin, triacylglycerol, and HDL cholesterol. These outcomes were combined into a cardiometabolic risk factor score. We examined associations of FA intake with repeated measures of height, weight, and body mass index by using linear mixed models and with cardiometabolic outcomes by using linear regression models, adjusting for sociodemographic and lifestyle factors and taking into account macronutrient substitution effects.Results: In multivariable models, we observed no associations of a higher intake of total fat or SFAs, MUFAs, or PUFAs with growth, adiposity, or cardiometabolic health when fat was consumed at the expense of carbohydrates. In subsequent models, there were also no associations observed for higher MUFA or PUFA intakes at the expense of SFAs with any of the outcomes. Results did not differ by sex, ethnicity, age, or birth weight.Conclusion: The results of this study did not support our hypothesis that intake of different types of FAs was associated with adiposity or cardiometabolic health among children.

Diabetes Technology and the Human Factor.

Diabetes Technology and the Human Factor.

Pemberian ASI Eksklusif dan Imunisasi Dasar dengan Kejadian Stunting Pada Balita

There were 344 cases of stunting under five at the Pasarwajo Health Center, Pasarwajo Village, Buton Regency, Southeast Sulawesi Province. Stunting in Pasarwajo Village is ranked 2nd out of 10 Villages in Pasarwajo District with a total of 46 cases in 2021. Stunting is a result of stunted growth processes. Stunting is still a nutritional problem that needs attention. The problem of stunting is directly influenced by exclusive breastfeeding which is related to the child's nutrition and nutritional intake, as well as basic weaknesses related to the child's immunity to a disease. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between exclusive breastfeeding and basic immunization with the incidence of stunting in toddlers aged 9-59 months in Pasarwajo Village, Buton Regency. This research method is a quantitative research with a cross sectional study approach. The total population is 325 toddlers with toddlers' mothers as respondents. Sampling using probability random sampling technique, obtained a sample of 78 toddlers. The results of this study indicate that there is a relationship between exclusive breastfeeding (ρ-0.004 &lt;0.05) and the incidence of stunting in the Pasarwajo sub-district, Buton Regency, and there is a relationship between basic deprivation (ρ-0.009 &lt;0.05) and the incidence of stunting in the Pasarwajo sub-district, Kabupaten Buton. The conclusion of the study is that there is a relationship between exclusive breastfeeding and basic activating with the incidence of stunting in toddlers aged 9-59 months in Pasarwajo Village, Buton Regency.

Parental feeding practices as potential moderating or mediating factors in the associations between children's early and later growth.

Given inconsistent results in the literature, our objective was to examine the role of early parental feeding practices in children's growth. Analyses were based on 1245 children from the EDEN mother-child cohort. Parental feeding practices were assessed at the 2-year follow-up by using the Comprehensive Feeding Practices Questionnaire. International Obesity Task Force BMI z-scores were derived from weight and height assessed at 2, 4, 6, and 8 years. Associations between parental feeding practices and child BMI z-scores at 4, 6 and 8 years were assessed by multivariable linear regressions, notably adjusted for 2-year BMI z-score. Analyses were stratified by child sex when relevant. Moreover, interaction and mediation analyses were respectively performed to assess whether parental feeding practices could moderate or mediate the associations between early and later growth. For a given BMI z-score at 2 years, parental restriction for weight at 2 years was positively associated with child BMI z-scores from 4 to 8 years (at 8 years: β [95% CI] = 0.09 [0.01; 0.16]). Among boys only, high use of food as a reward was positively associated with later BMI z-scores (at 8 years: β [95% CI] = 0.15 [0.03; 0.27]). Parental feeding practices were not moderating factors in the associations between early and later growth. Parental restriction for weight was a mediating factor in the associations between 2-year BMI z-score and BMI z-scores up to 8 years (mediation: 2.69% [0.27%; 5.11%] of the total effect at 8 years). Restriction for weight reasons, often used by parents in response to the child's high appetite in infancy, appears to lie on the pathway between early and later BMI, but not restriction for health, suggesting that parental way of restricting the child's food intake matters.

Technological tools for assessing children's food intake: a scoping review.

Technological innovations can standardise and minimise reporting errors in dietary assessment. This scoping review aimed to summarise the characteristics of technological tools used to assess children's food intake. The review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute's manual. The main inclusion criterion was studied that assessed the dietary intake of children 0-9 years of age using technology. We also considered articles on validation and calibration of technologies. We retrieved 15 119 studies and 279 articles were read in full, after which we selected 93 works that met the eligibility criteria. Forty-six technologies were identified, 37 % of which had been developed in Europe and 32⋅6 % in North America; 65⋅2 % were self-administered; 27 % were used exclusively at home; 37 % involved web-based software and more than 80 % were in children over 6 years of age. 24HR was the most widely used traditional method in the technologies (56⋅5 %), and 47⋅8 % of the tools were validated. The review summarised helpful information for studies on using existing tools or that intend to develop or validate tools with various innovations. It focused on places with a shortage of such technologies.

Effects of Visual Cues on Food Intake in Children : Scoping Review

Effects of Visual Cues on Food Intake in Children : Scoping Review

Children's Influence on Parents: the Bidirectional Relationship in Family Meal Selection.

Feeding a child in the 21st century can be challenging. A child's diet is thought to be a parent's responsibility, and numerous studies have explored how parents influence their child's food intake through food availability, feeding practices, and modeling. However, this relationship is likely bidirectional such that the child influences the parent as well (sometimes called "pester power"). Pester power has been studied in grocery stores and restaurants. However, no research to date investigates how children influence parent's food selection when eating at home. This study addresses this gap by asking parent and child dyads (N = 79, 95% white) to create meals together and separately. Forty 6-8 and thirty-nine 13-15 year-olds participated. Most of the parents (97.5%) and children (49.4%) who participated were female; and parents reported an average annual income of over 80,000 dollars (68.3%). Mean differences in the nutrient content of the meals were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVAs to examine the strength of influence in the bidirectional relationship. Results suggested when children were present for meal selection, they exerted influence over their parents for more palatable items. When choosing foods as a dyad versus when the parent selected meals for the family, the foods contained more calories, sugar, and less fiber. Protein was the only nutrient that parents influenced in their child's selections. These findings have important implications for understanding the often-overlooked bidirectional dynamic of the feeding relationship, and the accompanying health outcomes of child dietary intake.

Sorry Parents, Children Consume High Amounts of Candy before and after a Meal: Within-Person Comparisons of Children's Candy Intake and Associations with Temperament and Appetite.

Candy provides little nutritional value and contributes to children's energy intake from added sugars. Factors influencing children's candy intake remain largely unknown. This study describes children's total candy intake (kcal) before and after a meal and examines associations of candy intake in both conditions with children's temperament and appetite among a predominantly White, highly educated sample. Children (n = 38, age 5-8 years) were given free access to 11 candies (5 chocolate, 6 non-chocolate) and non-food alternatives during a pre-meal and a post-meal condition. Parents completed the Child Behavior Questionnaire and the Child Eating Behavior Questionnaire. Total candy intake was less when offered after a meal (209.3 kcal; SD = 111.25) than before a meal when still hungry (283.6 kcal; SD = 167.3), but not statistically different. Individual differences in candy intake between conditions was calculated to categorize children into three groups: "Better Regulators" consumed more candy before a meal (39%), "Consistent/Poorer Regulators" consumed similar amounts before and after a meal regardless of hunger (32%), and "Most Disinhibited" children consumed more candy after a meal when not hungry (29%). The "Better Regulators" group was lowest in negative affect and the "Consistent/Poorer Regulators" group was highest in food responsiveness. Children's candy intake was high relative to daily energy needs both before and after a meal. Child negative affect and food responsiveness appear to be child characteristics that predispose children to poor self-regulation of candy intake before and after a meal.

Black Parents' Perceptions and Barriers to Limiting Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Among Young Children: A Social Cognitive Theory Application.

Introduction: Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are a major contributor to obesity among young children 0 to 5 years of age. In addition, parental beverage intake influences children's beverage intake. Objective: This study explores Black parents' perceptions about and barriers to limiting SSBs among young children. Methods: Twenty-seven Black parents participated in six focus groups conducted across the state of Georgia. Questions grounded in Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) assessed perceived health impacts of SSBs and water consumption, influences of beverage choices, barriers to limiting SSB intake, and resources needed to overcome barriers. Before the focus group sessions, participants completed a demographic survey. Quantitative data were analyzed using R statistical software. Focus group sessions were analyzed using NVivo. Results: Family and cultural norms, price, taste, flavor, water safety, tantrums, and product placement at grocery stores primarily influenced beverage choice and consumption. Restaurant refills, price, lack of confidence, advertisements, cravings, tantrums, and budget were perceived barriers to drinking more water and fewer SSBs daily. Resources Black parents noted would help in promoting and serving healthy beverages to their young children included education on beverage recommendations, training on how to read nutrition labels, healthy alternatives, and the presence of support systems. Conclusion: Findings from this study will inform interventions to reduce SSB intake among Black families with young children.

Parental influences on children's dairy products consumption: a narrative review.

To review research on the influence of parent-related factors on children's dairy products consumption. A search of electronic databases and a narrative synthesis of the literature were conducted. English-language articles were included if they reported data relating to parental influences on children's consumption of dairy products and if statistical significance was reported. Studies were carried out in the USA (n 8) and in a range of countries across Europe (n 12) and Asia (n 5). The subjects of this research were children aged between 2 and 12 years of age, from a range of geographical locations. Twenty-five studies met the inclusion criteria. The studies examined children's dairy products consumption in relation to parental socio-economic status (education level and income) (n 12), home availability (n 2), home food environment (n 3), parental dairy products consumption (n 4), parent feeding practices (n 3), parents' beliefs and attitudes (n 3) and parental nutrition knowledge (n 3). Results on the association between socio-economic status and children's dairy products consumption varied; however, studies reporting a significant association generally observed a positive relationship. Fifteen studies reported children's total dairy products intake as an outcome measure, with the remaining studies reporting intake of milk or other dairy products as individual foods. This review identified literature exploring a range of parental factors in relation to children's dairy products intake. However, there were limited numbers of studies published within each category of modifiable factors. Further research on the parent-related determinants of dairy products consumption in children is required in order to identify potential intervention targets in this age group.

Healthy snack ideas for parents

Young children burn 50 per cent more energy than adults which is why they need a snack between meals (Gibbons 2021). Healthy snacks are an excellent way to boost children's intake of essential nutrients. However, it is not easy to come up with snack ideas, so here are some suggestions from Claire Hewson you can share with parents.

Comparative analysis of methyl–donor nutrient intakes and RCPM cognitive performance among school-aged children

Evidence shows a link between methyl-donor nutrient intakes and a child's cognitive ability. However, this is less known among Ghanaian children who might be at higher risk of methyl-donor nutrient deficiencies. This study showed comparative analysis of methyl-donor nutrient intakes and Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices (RCPM) test performance among 2073 Ghanaian school children aged 9-13 years across four regions of Ghana. Data for the present study were obtained from the Child Nutrition, Fitness, and Cognition project; a cross-sectional survey conducted in four regions of Ghana. Dietary methyl-donor nutrient values were based on repeated 24h recall data collected during the study periods. Cognitive tests were performed on the 2073 children using Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices (RCPM) test. We found dietary zinc (adjusted: β=0.21, p=0.003) and methionine (adjusted: β=0.60, p=0.044) intakes to be associated with RCPM scores in the linear regression model. School children living in Northern Region (adjusted OR=0.6, p<0.001, 95% CI=0.4-0.7) and Volta Region (adjusted OR=0.7, p=0.006, 95% CI=0.5-0.9) had lower odds of scoring above the 50th percentile on the RCPM test compared with those living in Greater Accra Region. Children who consumed below the RDA for dietary folate (unadjusted OR=0.8, p=0.055, 95% CI=0.7-1.0) and zinc (unadjusted OR=0.8, p=0.049, 95%CI=0.7-1.0) had lower odds of scoring above the 50th percentile on the RCPM test compared with those who consumed above the RDA for dietary folate and zinc respectively. Children who consumed below the EAR for dietary vitamin B12 (unadjusted OR=0.7, p=0.004, 95% CI=0.6-0.9) had reduced odds of scoring above the 50th percentile on the RCPM test compared with those who consumed above the EAR for dietary vitamin B12. Higher dietary methionine intake was strongly associated with higher RCPM scores. Regional differences, and children's dietary consumption below the EAR/RDA for dietary folate, vitamin B12, and zinc were associated with poor RCPM test performance. School children's nutrient intake should be prioritized for improved cognition.