Nutrient intake in aging infants and toddlers: 3-year follow-up of the Nutrintake study.

We performed a 3-year follow-up of the children enrolled into the Nutrintake Study to evaluate the changes of anthropometry and nutrient intake in aging infants and toddlers. Nutrient intake was assessed using a 7-day weighted food-diary. Of the 390 Nutrintake children, 164 (42%) participated in the present study. Their median (IQR) age was 54 (48; 66) months and their anthropometrical status, expressed as standard deviation scores, remained stable during the follow-up. During the same period, there was no biologically relevant change in the intake of macronutrients expressed as percentage of energy while median increases of 757 mg/day, 0.7 mg/day and 3.1 g/1000 kcal per day were detected for sodium, iron and fibre, respectively. As compared to the Italian reference standards, the Nutrintake children continued to show at the 3-year follow-up an excessive intake of simple carbohydrates, proteins, sodium, and a low intake of iron and fibre.

Nutrient intake in Italian infants and toddlers from North and South Italy: the Nutrintake 636 study.

We performed a cross-sectional study to compare the intake of energy, macronutrients, fiber, sodium and iron and the anthropometric status of infants and toddlers living in North (Milano) and South Italy (Catania). Nutrient intake was evaluated using a 7-day weighed food record. Out of 400 planned children aged 6 to 36 months, 390 (98%) were recruited, 189 in Milano and 201 in Catania. The mean (standard deviation) age was 17 (9) months in Milano and 17 (10) months in Catania. Anthropometry, energy intake and macronutrient intake were similar in Milano and Catania. However, iron intake was 27% lower and fiber intake 16% higher in Milano than in Catania. Despite normal anthropometry and energy intake, in the pooled sample there was a high intake of proteins, simple carbohydrates, saturated fats and sodium, and a low intake of iron and fiber compared to Italian reference values. This is the first study to report the macro- and micro-nutrient intake of children aged <12 months using the 7-day weighed food record and one of the very few studies that have employed such reference method in children from the general population.