Validation of a modified three-day weighed food record for measuring energy intake in preschool-aged children with cerebral palsy.
OBJECTIVE
Accurate energy intake (EI) determination in children with cerebral palsy (CP) is critical for nutritional management, however no valid measures exist. We aimed to validate a modified three-day weighed food record for measuring EI in preschool-aged children with CP.


METHODS
Thirty-one children with CP (61% male) of all functional abilities and 15 typically developing children (TDC) (63% male), median age 3.79 years participated. A three-day weighed food record was validated by comparing reported EI to measured total energy expenditure (TEE) via doubly labelled water, assuming a state of weight balance.


RESULTS
Children with moderate-severe CP showed no difference between EI and TEE. Values for EI were less than TEE in children with mild CP and TDC (p < 0.01, limits of agreement -2559 to 845 kJ and -2524 to 350 kJ respectively). The mean difference between EI and TEE as a percentage of measured TEE was 14.8% (mild CP), 4.3% (moderate-severe CP) and 16.8% (TDC), all less than data detailing typical within-subject variability in day-to-day EI.


CONCLUSIONS
In contrast to previous literature, results demonstrated that a modified three-day weighed food record accurately measured EI in preschool-aged children with CP. This record can be used in clinical practice and future research to accurately determine EI in this population.
Children's Nutrition Research Centre, UQ Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Level 3, Foundation Building, Royal Children's Hospital, Herston Road, Herston, QLD 4029, Australia. j.walker3@uq.edu.au
Jacqueline L
JL
Walker
Kristie L
KL
Bell
Roslyn N
RN
Boyd
Peter S W
PS
Davies
D000886:Anthropometry; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015930:Diet Records; D002149:Energy Intake; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009752:Nutritional Status