Food sources and correlates of sodium and potassium intakes in Flemish pre-school children.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to investigate dietary sources of Na and K intakes among Flemish pre-school children using multiple linear regression analyses.


METHODS
Three-day estimated diet records were used to assess dietary intakes. The contribution to Na and K intakes of fifty-seven food groups was computed by summing the amount provided by the food group for all individuals divided by the total intake for all individuals.


METHODS
A random cluster sampling design at the level of schools, stratified by province and age, was used.


METHODS
A representative sample of 696 Flemish pre-school children aged 2·5-6·5 years was recruited.


RESULTS
Mean Na intake was above and mean K intake was largely below the recommendation for children. Bread (22 %) and soup (13 %) were main contributors to Na intake followed by cold meat cuts and other meat products (12 % and 11 %, respectively). Sugared milk drinks, fried potatoes, milk and fruit juices were the main K sources (13 %, 12 %, 11 % and 11 %, respectively). Although Na and K intakes were positively correlated, several food categories showed Na:K intake ratio well above one (water, cheeses, soup, butter/margarine, fast foods and light beverages) whereas others presented a ratio well below one (oil & fat, fruits & juices, potatoes, vegetables and hot beverages).


CONCLUSIONS
Flemish pre-school children had too high Na and too low K intakes. The finding that main dietary sources of Na and K are clearly different indicates the feasibility of simultaneously decreasing Na and increasing K intake among children.
Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, UZ - 2 Blok A, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium. inge.huybrechts@ugent.be
Inge
I
Huybrechts
Willem
W
De Keyzer
Yi
Y
Lin
Stefanie
S
Vandevijvere
Carine
C
Vereecken
Herman
H
Van Oyen
Katrien
K
Tilleman
Mia
M
Bellemans
Mieke
M
De Maeyer
Guy
G
De Backer
Stefaan
S
De Henauw
D001530:Belgium; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004032:Diet; D015930:Diet Records; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D011188:Potassium / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012982:Sodium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D012982:Sodium, Dietary; D014131:Trace Elements; D011188:Potassium