Position statement of the Polish Academy of Sciences Committee Human Nutrition Science on the principles for the nutrition of children aged 1-3 years.

The Position Statement on the principles of nutrition for children aged 1-3 years emphasizes that proper nutrition of children at this age determines their optimal psychometric development and has beneficial effects on the process nutritional programming, which reduces the risk of diet-related diseases in adulthood. Continued breastfeeding in the post-infancy period, together with the proper introduction of complementary foods, supplies all the nutritional needs of the child. A varied selection of food products is important to balance out the diet of a child in the context of energy and nutrient needs. Attention should be paid to products not recommended for frequent consumption, due to the possibility of the early development of improper eating habits that can lead to undesirable health consequences. Due to the potential risk of deficiency, adequate intake of iron, iodine, calcium and vitamin D, as well as of n-3 PUFAs (which is often insufficient) should be provided. Adequate dietary energy and protein intake protects children against protein-energy undernutrition and is crucial for their proper growth and development. An important element in the assessment of the development of children involves monitoring their nutritional status and physical development by systematically measuring their body weight and length/height and analyzing their weight gain. It is necessary to diagnose the causes of being underweight/overweight in children. Physical activity (such as outdoor walks, plays, and games) and healthy sleep hygiene are recommended. Physical activity, an adequate number of hours of sleep, and the quality of sleep in early childhood may improve immunity, reduce the risk of excessive weight gain, and consequently reduce the risk of obesity later in life. Other issues discussed include the functioning of the digestive system as one of the determinants of the nutrition of young children, basics of proper nutrition, risk of nutrient deficiencies and development of proper eating habits in early childhood.

Nutrition during breastfeeding - impact on human milk composition.

Breastfeeding or breast milk feeding is a gold standard of feeding of newborns and infants. According to the guidelines of the World Health Organisation exclusive feeding with breast milk should be applied until the end of 6 months of age and should be continued during subsequent months with simultaneous introduction of supplementary food. Composition of breast milk varies and the composition of individual nutrients is affected by, among others, the diet of a breastfeeding mother. The paper aimed to present a literature review in order to assess a correlation between the mother's diet and breast milk composition. It has been observed that nutrients with the greatest correlation between their levels in human milk and their levels in the mother's diet include polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially DHA; however, no correlation was observed for mineral elements, mainly trace elements (zinc, chromium and iron).

[Recommendations of prophylaxis of vitamin D deficiency in Poland (2009)]. / Zalecenia dotyczace profilaktyki niedoborów witaminy D w polsce (2009).

Adequate vitamin D intake and its status as well outdoor physical activity are important not only for normal bone development and Ca-P metabolism, but for optimal function of many organs and tissues throughout the body. Due to documented changes in dietary habits and physical activity level, both observed in growing children and adults, the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency is continuously increasing. National Consultants and experts in this field established the Polish recommendations for prophylactic vitamin D supplementation in infants, toddlers, children and adolescents as well as in adults, including pregnant and lactating women based on current literature review. Taking into consideration pleyotropic vitamin D action and safety aspects serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) level of 20-60 ng/ml (50-750 nmol/l) in children and 30-80 ng/ml (75-200 nmol/I) in adults is considered as optimal. Sunlight exposure inducing vitamin D production in the skin is main endogen source of vitamin D in the body but sunscreens may reduce skin synthesis by 90%. In Poland, skin synthesis is effective only from April to September so other sources of vitamin D such as diet and supplements play an important role. All newborns should be supplemented with 400 IU/d of vitamin D beginning from the first few days of life and continue during infancy. In formula fed infants vitamin D intake from the diet should be taken into account. In preterm infants higher total vitamin D intake (400-800 IU/day) is recommended till 40 weeks post conception. Total vitamin D intake in children and adolescents required from all sources (diet and/or supplements) should be 400 IU/d between October and March and throughout the whole year in case of inadequate vitamin D skin synthesis during the summer months. In overweight/obese children supplementation with higher dosage of vitamin D up to 800-1000 IU/d should be considered. Adults require 800-1000 IU/d of vitamin D. In pregnant and lactating women such supplementation is recommended in case of inadequate intake from diet and/or skin synthesis supplementation. Monitoring of serum 25-OHD level to define optimal dosage should be considered.

[Prophylaxis of vitamin D deficiency--Polish recommendations 2009]. / Polskie zalecenia dotyczace profilaktyki niedoborów witaminy D--2009.

Appropriate state procurement system for vitamin D is important not only for the proper functioning of the skeletal, maintaining calcium and phosphorus homeostasis, but also for a number of other organs and tissues in our body. In connection with the change in lifestyle including dietary habits change, the widespread use of UV filters and less outdoor activity, observed an increase in the percentage of vitamin D deficiency, both in population and developmental age and adults. Based on the results of recent scientific research team of experts provides recommendations for preventive Polish supply of vitamin D in infants, children, adolescents and adults, including pregnant women and nursing mothers.

[Prophylaxis of vitamin D deficiency--Polish recommendation 2009]. / Stanowisko Zespolu Ekspertów. Polskie zalecenia dotyczace profilaktyki niedoborów witaminy D - 2009.

Adequate vitamin D intake and its status are important not only for bone health and Ca-P metabolism, but for optimal function of many organs and tissues throughout the body. Due to documented changes in dietary habits and physical activity level, both observed in growing children and adults, the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency is continuously increasing. Basing on current literature review and opinions of National Consultants and experts in the field, polish recommendations for prophylactic vitamin D supplementation in infants, toddlers, children and adolescents as well as in adults, including pregnant and lactating women have been established.

[Dietary assessment of pregnant women--vitamin and mineral supplementation--justified or not?]. / Ocena sposobu zywienia kobiet w okresie ciazy--suplementacja preparatami witaminowo-mineralnymi uzasadniona czy nie?

The aim of the study was to assess the dietary intake of energy and nutrients of pregnant women in the Outpatient Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology of National Research Institute of Mother and Child in Warsaw. The nutrient intake, the average daily food rations and their nutritional value were evaluated on the basis of recall and record of 7-days menus. The average daily food intake was compared to the recommendations for the first and second half of pregnancy. It was found, that 44% of women changed dietary habits during pregnancy. The nutritional value of their daily food intake was closer to recommendations in the first half of pregnancy than in the second half. The food intake of pregnant women with supplementation (S-group) and taking placebo (NS-group) were also compared. In the first half of pregnancy the average food intake of women from S-group and NS-group was similar. In the second half of pregnancy the nutrient intake of S-group women was closer to recommendations than in the second group. However the deficiency of certain B vitamins and microelements (calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium) occurred in both groups. The intake of vitamin A, sodium and phosphorus exceeded the recommendations. The results of the study support the need of supplementation in the pregnant women diets with microelements and vitamins.

[Dietetic treatment in infants with food allergy]. / Postepowanie zywieniowe u niemowlat z alergia pokarmowa.

Prevalence of food allergy and variability of symptoms in infants is described. Proposals concerning dietetic treatment underlining the importance of breastfeeding, indications for proteins hydrolysate and for meat-vegetable diet introduction are presented. Feeding schedule for infants with food allergy is also included.