Swedish pre-school children eat too much junk food and sucrose.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze dietary intake in healthy 4-year-old children.


METHODS
Families from three Paediatric Health Care Centres in different socio-economic areas in Göteborg completed 7-day food records and questionnaires about socio-economy.


RESULTS
One hundred thirty two/153 completed the study, 49% of parents were university educated. Eighteen percent of children were overweight/obese. Energy intake was high; 67% had sucrose intake exceeding Nordic Nutrition Recommendations (NNR) but 36% had n-3 fatty acid intake < 0.5 energy percent. Significant negative correlations were found between sucrose and fat and between BMI and fat intake. Junk food supplied 24% of energy. Ninety-two percent had low vitamin D intake, 70% low iron and 21% low calcium intake. Gruel, which was consumed by 28%, had a positive impact on micronutrient intake. Child care and mother's origin seemed to influence dietary intake.


CONCLUSIONS
In 4-year olds from well-educated urban families, 18% was overweight/obese. Total energy intake was above present NNR but lower than 20 years ago, when overweight was rare. Fat energy intake was negatively associated with BMI, and low n-3 fatty acid intake was associated with higher body weight. In several aspects dietary intake was not optimal in the children.
Garemo
M
M
Department of Paediatrics, Sahlgrenska Academy, Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden. malingaremo@hotmail.com
Lenner
R Arvidsson
RA
Strandvik
B
B
D015992:Body Mass Index; D002182:Candy; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004032:Diet; D015930:Diet Records; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013548:Sweden
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates