title: Low prevalence of inadequate micronutrient intake in young children in the south of Brazil: a new perspective.
abstract: In Brazil, children's eating patterns have been characterised by an increased consumption of ultra-processed foods that are fortified. Our aims were to (1) estimate the prevalence of inadequate micronutrient intake among children from low-income families and (2) to assess micronutrient intake from fortified foods. We carried out a cross-sectional study from a randomised field trial conducted at healthcare centres in Porto Alegre, Brazil, with 446 mother-child pairs, with the children aged 2-3 years. Dietary data were assessed using two 24-h recalls. The prevalence of inadequacy for six micronutrients was estimated using the proportion of individuals with intakes below the estimated average requirement (EAR). Micronutrient intakes from fortified foods were evaluated using EAR and upper tolerable level (UL). Healthy foods consumption was below the recommendations, except for beans, and 88·1 % of the children consumed ultra-processed foods. A low prevalence of inadequate micronutrient intake was observed for Fe (1·2 %), vitamin C (4·7 %), vitamin A (5·2 %), Ca (11·4 %) and folate (15·2 %). None of the children had intakes less than the EAR for Zn. Fortified foods contributed between 11·3 and 38·3 % to micronutrient intakes, and 43·0 % of the children met the EAR for Fe, 13·9 % for vitamin C and 12·3 % for Zn using fortified foods only. In addition, 4·0 % of the children exceeded the UL for vitamin A, 3·1 % for Zn, 1·1 % for folic acid and 0·2 % for Fe. These results highlight a low prevalence of inadequate micronutrient intakes among children and suggest that such a group could be at risk of excessive micronutrient intakes provided by ultra-processed foods.
authors.affiliation: 1Graduate Program in Health Sciences,Universidade Federal de Ciencias da Saude de Porto Alegre,245 Sarmento Leite,Porto Alegre,90050-170,Brazil.
authors.forename: Caroline Nicola
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Sangalli
authors.affiliation: 2Nutrition Research Group (NUPEN),Universidade Federal de Ciencias da Saude de Porto Alegre,245 Sarmento Leite,Porto Alegre,90050-170,Brazil.
authors.forename: Fernanda
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rauber
authors.affiliation: 3Department of Nutrition,Universidade Federal de Ciencias da Saude de Porto Alegre,245 Sarmento Leite,Porto Alegre,90050-170,Brazil.
authors.forename: Márcia Regina
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Vitolo
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D015362:Child Nutrition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004034:Diet Surveys; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009752:Nutritional Status
chemical_list: D018977:Micronutrients
keywords: EAR estimated average requirement; Micronutrient intake; Nutrition; Preschool children; Requirements; UL upper tolerable level