title: Nutrient intake and dietary patterns in children 2.5-5 years of age with picky eating behaviours and low weight-for-height.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Picky eating behaviours are common in young children and may adversely affect dietary intake. This study examined the adequacy of dietary patterns and nutrient intake in preschool-aged children in China and Hong Kong with picky eating behaviours and weight-for-height in the lowest quartile of the WHO Growth Standards.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dietary intake was assessed using baseline 3-day food records from a multicenter, randomized trial in Chinese children (N=151) ages 2.5-5 years characterized as picky eaters by their parents and with weight-for-height <=25th percentile of the WHO Growth Standards. Nutrient intakes were calculated using validated dietary analysis software and compared with age-appropriate Chinese Recommended Nutrient Intakes (RNIs). Dietary patterns were compared with Hong Kong Food Pyramid recommendations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Median daily energy intake was 25% lower than the age-appropriate RNI, while median intakes of calcium, iron, zinc, and vitamins C and E ranged from 52%-73% of the RNI. Vitamin D intake was only 37% of the RNI. Total fat and sodium intakes exceeded recommendations by 10% and 56%, respectively, while >16% of daily energy was derived from foods in the sweets/beverages/snack and the fats/oils groups. Almost 75% of the children met the recommended daily servings of meat/meat substitutes and nearly half met the recommendation for daily servings of fruit. Fewer met the recommendations for daily servings of vegetables (14.7%), milk/milk products (6.3%), and grains and cereals (6.3%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Young children with picky eating behaviours and low weight-for-height had suboptimal dietary patterns and were at risk for significant dietary and nutrient insufficiencies.
authors.affiliation: Nestlé Nutrition, King of Prussia, PA, USA. Email: Sheri.volger@rd.nestle.com; sheri.volger@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Sheri
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Volger
authors.affiliation: Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Xiaoyang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Sheng
authors.affiliation: Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China.
authors.forename: Ling M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Tong
authors.affiliation: Jinan Children's Hospital, Jinan, Shandong Province, China.
authors.forename: Dongmei
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China.
authors.forename: Ting
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.affiliation: Wuxi People's Hospital, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China.
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Wyeth Nutrition (China) Company Ltd, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ge
authors.affiliation: Wyeth (Hong Kong) Holding Company Ltd, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Wing Man
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.affiliation: Nestlé Nutrition, King of Prussia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Nicholas P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Hays
authors.affiliation: Nestlé Nutrition, King of Prussia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Manjiang P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Yao
mesh_terms: D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D002657:Child Development; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China; D004032:Diet; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002149:Energy Intake; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008460:Meat; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D009753:Nutritive Value; D014675:Vegetables; D014944:World Health Organization
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats