Fat intake and nutritional status of children in China.
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Although the fat intake of Chinese children is not critically high, on the basis of an 8-province survey, the fat intake of urban boys aged 12-15 y rose from approximately 17% of their total energy intake in 1989 to nearly 30% in 1993. In contrast, a national survey conducted in 1992 indicated that the average fat intake of rural boys and girls aged 2-15 y was insufficient to meet the growth needs of early childhood, ranging from approximately 16% to 20% of their total energy intake. The prevalence of underweight and stunting among Chinese children declined from 1990 to 1995, and there was a disparity between the number of those affected in urban areas compared with rural areas. In a 1991 dietary survey of Chinese boys <6 y, stunting appeared to be linked with a low intake of protein and fat. Data on schoolchildren aged 7-17 y showed an improvement in nutrition from 1991 to 1995, but the prevalence of a low weight to height ratio was markedly higher among urban 17-y-old girls. Overweight and obesity are increasing among urban children and are of particular concern at 11 and 12 y of age. Detailed studies should be conducted to analyze the major risk factors of overweight and obesity and to establish appropriate interventions. (+info)
Secular trends in growth and changes in eating patterns of Japanese children.
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Changes in the daily macronutrient intake of Japanese children have been studied over the past half century to determine the effects of such changes on a child's healthy growth and development. Data from government and other reports show that in 5-y-old boys in the Tokyo metropolitan area, the intake of fat as a percentage of total energy intake was 12.6%, 20.9%, 28.4%, 33.8%, and 33.2% in 1952, 1960, 1970, 1982, and 1994, respectively. The prevalence of obesity in school-aged children is increasing; recently, nearly 10% of the children in this age group were considered obese. About 5% of obese children experience some adverse effects caused by obesity, eg, hypertension and hyperlipidemia. Nationwide surveys on serum cholesterol concentrations conducted in 1960, 1970, 1980, and 1990 showed that the cholesterol concentrations in 10-19-y-old males and females increased year after year. The height of boys and girls rapidly increased during the 15-y period from 1945 to 1960, and after 1970 the adult height in Japan was thought to have reached its maximum. The factors that contribute to the health problems facing today's Japanese children include their sedentary lifestyle, irregular intake of meals (especially skipping breakfast), and the increasing daily ratio of fat to total energy intake. Presently, changing the sedentary lifestyle is the most significant issue to be resolved. (+info)
Dietary fats and cholesterol in italian infants and children.
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The fat intake of Italian infants has peculiar characteristics that begin quite early because their mothers' milk has a monounsaturated fat content (45%) at the upper limit of the values found in Europe. Comparison studies in breast-fed and formula-fed infants were conducted to evaluate growth and developmental correlates and differences in fat intakes in the early months of life. Breast-fed infants have higher blood lipid concentrations at 4 mo of age than do formula-fed infants. The addition of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) and cholesterol to formulas for term infants may affect concentrations of circulating blood lipids as well as the LCPUFA composition of the lipids during the breast-feeding period. The addition of LCPUFAs does not seem to affect the growth rate of formula-fed infants. Although an initial benefit of LCPUFA feeding on eye-hand coordination was observed, this effect was not sustained; by 24 mo, different feeding groups had similar developmental scores. Other peculiarities of the Italian experience are presented, including body weights from infancy to early childhood in 147 children, the nutrient densities of different diets in Italian schoolchildren, and the effects of nutritional education on dietary intakes. The diets of these children were high in animal protein and supplied approximately 30-35% of energy from fats throughout childhood. Both the dietary protein intakes at 1 y of age and parental body mass indexes were associated with 5-y body mass index values. Classroom education may be useful to lower the plasma lipid concentrations in healthy, primary school-age children. It is not known whether this early modification can be maintained and whether it influences the later development of cardiovascular disorders. (+info)
Dietary fat intakes in infants and primary school children in Germany.
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We report dietary fat intake data in groups of infants and children in Germany. A group of 148 healthy infants was followed prospectively from birth through the first year of life. After birth, 78.9% of infants were breast-fed; 50% were breast-fed at 3 mo and 9. 8% were breast-fed at 12 mo. Infant formula was given to 22% of infants after birth, 53% at 3 mo, and 58% at 12 mo. Complementary foods were consumed by 16% of infants at 3 mo, 97% at 6 mo, and 98-100% at 7-12 mo. In non-breast-fed infants, mean dietary fat intakes were 44.8%, 42.9%, 37.4%, and 35.7% of energy intake at the ages of 1, 4, 6, and 12 mo, respectively. Calculated energy and nutrient intakes were within recommended ranges and weight gain was normal. Therefore, we see no compelling reason to actively modify total fat intakes at this age. In 158 primary school children aged 6-11 y, 7-d checklist protocols showed 41% of energy intake as fat with approximately 50% as saturated fat. Because German children of this age are experiencing increasing rates of obesity and high serum cholesterol concentrations, a stepwise reduction of total fat and saturated fat intakes in primary school children appears desirable to improve long-term health. (+info)
Dietary fat intake and body mass index in Spanish children.
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Our objectives were to describe the pattern of dietary fat intake and to present data on trends of growth in Spanish children in past decades. In 1984 a nationwide nutritional survey was conducted in Spain. The average nationwide fat intake was 42% of energy. Across different regions, saturated fat intakes ranged from 13% to 15% of energy and monounsaturated fat intakes ranged from 18% to 19% of energy. More recently, some surveys were conducted at a regional or local level. In children aged 6-10 y, total fat intake ranged from 38% to 48% of energy, of which saturated fat intake ranged from 16% to 18% and monounsaturated fat ranged from 19% to 20%. In children aged 11-14 y, total fat intake ranged from 41% to 51% of energy, of which saturated fat intake ranged from 12% to 18% and monounsaturated fat intake accounted for 20%. In our region of Aragon, we observed a significant trend in children's growth, especially when we accounted for body mass index. The results reflect an increasing total fat consumption in Spain, especially of saturated and monounsaturated fat. The following question remains unanswered: what percentage of fat intake should be recommended when monounsaturated fat is the principal source of fat? Trends on body mass index values in children of our region during the past decades could be related to the amount of fat intake in our population. To confirm these findings we must measure dietary fat intake and nutritional status in the same population of children and adolescents. (+info)
Developing and implementing food-based dietary guidance for fat in the diets of children.
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This article discusses the process by which a country can effectively solve health problems through recommended changes in the nutrient content of the diet. Each country must consider not only the development of scientific guidelines suitable for its population, but also strategies for effective food-based dietary guidance to achieve the goal. This is best done by integrating health and dietary goals when forming scientific guidelines and by developing effective partnerships among the many sectors that influence the food supply and food selection. Using fat intake in children as an example, this article describes the determinants of success in achieving the goals of science-based dietary guidelines through food-based dietary guidance. (+info)
Community Mothers Programme--seven year follow-up of a randomized controlled trial of non-professional intervention in parenting.
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BACKGROUND: The Community Mothers Programme aims at using experienced volunteer mothers in disadvantaged areas to give support to first-time parents in rearing their children up to 1 year of age. The programme was evaluated by randomized controlled trial in 1990. METHODS: Seven years later, trial participants were interviewed about child health, nutrition, cognitive stimulation, parenting skills, and maternal self-esteem. The aim of this study was to see whether the demonstrated benefits at 1 year of age of this programme could be sustained at age 8. RESULTS: One-third of the original group (38 intervention, 38 control), were contacted and interviewed. The risk for having an accident requiring a hospital visit was lower in the intervention group: relative risk (RR) 0.59, 95 per cent confidence interval (CI) 0.31-1.11. Intervention children were more likely to visit the library weekly: RR 1.58, 95 per cent CI 1.10-2.26. Intervention mothers were more likely to check homework every night: RR 1.23, 95 per cent CI 1.05-1.43 (p=0.006); and to disagree with the statement 'children should be smacked for persistently bad behaviour': RR 2.11, 95 per cent CI 1.10-4.06. They were more likely to disagree with the statement 'I do not have much to be proud of': RR 1.24, 95 per cent CI 1.04-1.40; and to make a positive statement about motherhood than controls: RR 1.53, 95 per cent CI 1.06-2.20. Subsequent children of intervention mothers were more likely to have completed Haemophilus influenzae b: RR 1.26, 95 per cent CI 1.06-1.51; and polio immunization: RR 1.19, 95 per cent CI 1.02-1.40. CONCLUSIONS: The Community Mothers programme had sustained beneficial effects on parenting skills and maternal self-esteem 7 years later with benefit extending to subsequent children. (+info)
Reducing child mortality in India in the new millennium.
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Globally, child mortality rates have been halved over the last few decades, a developmental success story. Nevertheless, progress has been uneven and in recent years mortality rates have increased in some countries. The present study documents the slowing decline in infant mortality rates in india; a departure from the longer-term trends. The major causes of childhood mortality are also reviewed and strategic options for the different states of India are proposed that take into account current mortality rates and the level of progress in individual states. The slowing decline in childhood mortality rates in India calls for new approaches that go beyond disease-, programme- and sector-specific approaches. (+info)