Nutrient intake of children aged 18 – 24 months taking part in the GUMLi Trial

Abstract

Background: Dietary intake in the second year of life influences future food preferences and eating habits. Assessment of dietary intake is difficult in this age group due to the utilisation of secondary reporters and challenges with quantifying amounts of food eaten. Young children are at risk of nutrient deficiencies including iron and vitamin D, which can have long term health consequences. It is important to evaluate the role of Growing Up Milk (GUM) as part of a healthy diet in young children and its efficacy in optimising nutrient intakes. Aim: To describe the nutrient intake from food, including breast milk and formula, in children aged 18 – 24 months, and assess nutrient adequacy compared nutrient reference values (NRVs). The role of Growing Up Milk Lite (GUMLi) in improving diet quality was also explored. Method: Data from the Growing Up Milk Lite Trial (GUMLi), a double blind randomised controlled trial of New Zealand and Australian children 12 to 24 months of age was used for the purpose of this study. Dietary data was collected via four record assisted 24-hour recalls (at 19, 20, 22 and 23 months of age) and nutrient intakes were analysed for comparison against the NRVs and between the active control (standard cow’s milk) and intervention (GUMLi) groups. Results: A total of one hundred and sixteen children were included in this secondary analysis. Energy, protein, vitamin A, sodium and zinc intakes all exceeded the NRVs. A high proportion of children did not meet the NRVs for dietary fibre, vitamin D, vitamin E, potassium, iron and iodine. Differences between the intervention and active control groups were seen, with children consuming GUMLi having increased intakes of vitamins C (101.2mg, p<0.0001) and D (6.6μg, p<0.0001), iron (11mg, p<0.0001), and DHA (0.1g, p<0.0001), compared to those drinking cow’s milk. Conclusion: Young New Zealand and Australian children are at risk of inadequate intakes of dietary fibre and of key micronutrients including vitamins D and E, iron, iodine and selenium. Children also have excessive intakes of some macronutrients. The use of GUMLi for 12 months improved nutrient intakes when compared to cow’s milk.