Dietary macronutrient intake during the first 10 years of life in a cohort of Italian children.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the longitudinal pattern of dietary energy and macronutrient intakes during the first 10 years of life in a sample of healthy Italian children.


METHODS
Sixty-one healthy children were followed from birth to 10 years of age. At 1, 5, 8, and 10 years of age, anthropometric measurements were taken and nutritional habits evaluated using a standardized food frequency questionnaire.


RESULTS
Compared to the Italian recommended dietary allowances, the children's diet was high in protein at any age, high in lipids from age 5 onward, and high in calories at 5 years of age. At 1 year, mean (SD) protein, carbohydrate, and lipid intake, expressed as percentage of total energy, was 20% (3%), 48% (7%), and 34% (5%), respectively. Afterward, the corresponding mean value ranged around 14% to 15%, 57% to 60%, and 29% to 32%. The mean glycemic load and overall glycemic index ranged around 143 to 150 and 58 to 59, respectively. A difference between boys and girls was found in the longitudinal pattern for the intake of energy (P < 0.0001) and glycemic load (P < 0.0001). The individual longitudinal dietary pattern varied over time for the intake of total energy (P < 0.0001), any macronutrient (P < 0.0001), and overall glycemic index (P = 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Although the amount of energy intake was in accordance with the Italian recommended dietary allowances, children consumed a high-protein and high-lipid diet. Early and continuous dietary education of children and parents may provide support for adequate nutritional habits throughout their childhood.
Verduci
E
E
Department of Pediatrics, San Paolo Hospital, University of Milan, Italy. elvira.verduci@unimi.it
Radaelli
G
G
Stival
G
G
Salvioni
M
M
Giovannini
M
M
Scaglioni
S
S
D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004032:Diet; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002149:Energy Intake; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D038321:Glycemic Index; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004044:Dietary Proteins