Nutritional risk among Brazilian children 2 to 6 years old: A multicenter study

Abstract

Objective: To estimate the nutritional risk in children 2 to 6 y old.Methods: the sample consisted of 3058 children enrolled in public and private schools in nine Brazilian cities. the assessment of nutrient intake was based on 1-d data combining direct individual weighing of foods and a food diary. A second evaluation of food consumption was conducted in a subsample to estimate the usual intake.Results: There was low prevalence of inadequate intake of vitamin B6 (<0.001%), riboflavin (<0.001%), niacin (<0.001%), thiamin (<0.001%), folate (<0.001%), phosphorus (<0.1%), magnesium (<0.1%), iron (<0.5%), copper (<0.001%), zinc (<0.5%), and selenium (<0.001%). However, 22% of children younger than 4 y and 5% of children older than 4 y consumed fiber quantities larger than the adequate intake. Approximately 30% of the sample consumed more saturated fat than recommended. the prevalence of inadequate vitamin E intake ranged from 15% to 29%. More than 90% of the children had an inadequate vitamin D intake. in children older than 4 y, the prevalence of inadequate calcium intake was approximately 45%. Sodium intake was higher than the upper intake level in 90% of children younger than 4 y and 73% of children older than 4 y.Conclusions: the prevalence of inadequate dietary intake was low for most nutrients. However, fiber, calcium, and vitamin D and E intakes were lower than recommended. Moreover, children consumed large amounts of sodium and saturated fat. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Univ São Paulo, Dept Nutr, São Paulo, SP, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Pediat, São Paulo, SP, BrazilDanone Res, São Paulo, SP, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Pediat, São Paulo, SP, BrazilWeb of Scienc