Nutritional deficiencies in the diets of preschool children
Journal Title: Postępy Nauk Medycznych - Year 2012, Vol 25, Issue 12
Abstract
<b>Introduction.</b> During childhood, the body needs a diversity of vitamins and minerals in appropriate amounts to ensure optimal growth, proper physical and cognitive development, and appropriate physical fitness.<br><b>Aim. </b>The objective of the paper was to evaluate the energy value and the content of basic nutrients in habitual diets of four--year-old children in terms of the adequateness of their intake with reference to current nutritional standards and to analyse the prevalence of mineral and vitamin deficiencies risk.<br><b>Material and methods. </b>The study was carried out in 2005 across the Polish-nationwide group of 396 children aged 4, randomly selected from the PESEL – birth register, proportionally from urban and rural areas.<br>The analysis of the habitual nutrition was carried out on the basis of the record of all products, meals and drinks consumed by children over 7 days. The energy and nutritional values of diets were calculated using DIETA 4.0 computer software. To assess the prevalence of deficient diets with reference to 2008 Nutritional Standards, a probability evaluation method was applied and carried our in accordance, with US IOM recommendations.<br><b>Results. </b>It was found that every 4<sup>th</sup> child aged four years had underweight reflecting prolonged energy malnutrition, and every 5<sup>th</sup> child had increased body mass in the form of overweight or obesity (evaluated according to BMI and Cole at al. classification 2000, 2003). Frequent vitamin D, potassium, calcium and iron deficiencies in 50% to 90% of children, and vitamin E and C and foliate deficiencies in less than 25% of children were observed.<br><b>Conclusions. </b>The results of the Polish-nationwide study of 4 years old indicate an urgent need for education aimed at increasing the consumption by children of these nutrients that are highly deficient in diets. Particular attention should be paid to calcium and vitamin D as key nutrients for the development and promotion of health across this group of children.
Authors and Affiliations
Zofia Chwojnowska, Jadwiga Charzewska, Bożena Wajszczyk, Elżbieta Chabros, Aleksandra Urbańska
Keywords
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