Nutritional needs during the first year of life. Some concepts and perspectives.

This article reviews some of the recent changes in thinking that are reflected in two reports (Recommended Nutrient Intakes for Canadians and the FAO/WHO/UNU Report on Energy and Protein Requirements) concerning nutrient requirements for infants below one year of age. The author illustrates the concepts underlying the published requirement estimates and hence some of the principles that should underlie the interpretation and application of the estimates.