Body composition reference charts for infants from birth to 24 months: Multicenter Infant Body Composition Reference Study.

BACKGROUND: Body composition assessment in the first 2 y of life provides important insights into child nutrition and health. The application and interpretation of body composition data in infants and young children have been challenged by a lack of global reference data. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to develop body composition reference charts of infants aged 0-6 mo based on air displacement plethysmography (ADP) and those aged 3-24 mo based on total body water (TBW) by deuterium dilution (DD). METHODS: Body composition was assessed by ADP in infants aged 0-6 mo from Australia, India, and South Africa. TBW using DD was assessed for infants aged 3-24 mo from Brazil, Pakistan, South Africa, and Sri Lanka. Reference charts and centiles were constructed for body composition using the lambda-mu-sigma method. RESULTS: Sex-specific reference charts were produced for FM index (FMI), FFM index (FFMI), and percent FM (%FM) for infants aged 0-6 mo (n = 470 infants; 1899 observations) and 3-24 mo (n = 1026 infants; 3690 observations). When compared with other available references, there were observable differences but similar patterns in the trajectories of FMI, FFMI, and %FM. CONCLUSIONS: These reference charts will strengthen the interpretation and understanding of body composition in infants across the first 24 mo of life.

Erratum: Total Usual Nutrient Intakes and Nutritional Status of United Arab Emirates Children (<4 Years): Findings from the Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS) 2021.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1093/cdn/nzac080.].

Total Usual Nutrient Intakes and Nutritional Status of United Arab Emirates Children (<4 Years): Findings from the Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS) 2021.

Background: The transition from a predominantly milk-based diet to a diverse family diet is a window of opportunity for optimal child growth and development. Objectives: The study aims to examine the nutritional status and food-consumption patterns of children under 4 y of age in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and their adherence to nutrient and dietary recommendations. Methods: A population-based cross-sectional survey of 525 children aged 0-47.9 mo was conducted in 3 major emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah. Anthropometric measurements were obtained, and dietary assessment was conducted using the 24-h dietary recall approach. Usual intakes of energy, macronutrient, and micronutrients, including from supplements, were assessed using PC-SIDE software. Adherence to food-group recommendations was evaluated based on the American Heart Association/American Academy of Pediatrics dietary guidelines. Results: Among 0-4-y-old children, 10% were stunted, 6% were wasted, 17% were at risk of overweight, 5% were overweight, and 3% were obese. The contribution of sweets and sugar sweetened beverages to energy intake increased from 5% in 6-11.9-mo-old children to 17% in 36-47.9-mo-old children. Compared with dietary guidelines, the lowest adherence was for fruit (13-18%) and vegetables (7-12%), while protein was within the recommendations, and 92% and 89% of children (aged 24 to 35.9 mo and 36 to 47.9 mo, respectively) had high intakes of saturated fat. Almost all toddlers failed to meet the Adequate Intake for fiber. The proportions of children exceeding the free-sugar upper limit increased from 10.6% in infants (0-5.9 mo) to 56.7% in toddlers (12- 23.9 mo). Micronutrient inadequacies were observed, particularly for calcium, zinc, folate, and vitamins A and D. Conclusions: This study suggests a triple burden of malnutrition among infants and young children in the UAE. Results call for national nutrition intervention strategies aimed at improving dietary quality in the pediatric population.

Energy and nutrient intakes during different phases of the menstrual cycle in females in the United Arab Emirates.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Evidence related to the influence of the menstrual cycle on energy and nutrient intakes is inconclusive. The purpose of the present study was to investigate energy and nutrient intakes during different phases of the menstrual cycle in adult females in the United Arab Emirates. METHODS: Forty-three females, aged between 18 and 30 years, were recruited to the study. Subjects were not using oral contraceptive pills and experienced regular menstrual cycles. Food and beverage intake was recorded, using the estimated daily record method, for 2 days of each menstrual cycle phase (pre-menstrual, menstrual and post-menstrual). Energy and nutrient intakes were analysed using Diet5 for Windows. RESULTS: Mean energy intake was significantly lower in the menstrual phase compared to the pre-menstrual phase (p = 0.002), but not the post-menstrual phase. Intakes of macronutrients and micronutrients were higher in the pre-menstrual phase compared to the menstrual and post-menstrual phases. Intakes of carbohydrates, protein and fat were significantly higher in the pre-menstrual phase than in the menstrual phase (p = 0.008, p = 0.001, p = 0.013, respectively). Similarly, intakes of vitamin C and B vitamins were significantly higher in the pre-menstrual phase than in the menstrual phase (p = 0.019, p = 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION: Energy and nutrient intakes varied during the different phases of the menstrual cycle. These results confirm the hypothesis that food intake differs between different phases of the menstrual cycle.