Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
Eur J Nutr. 2024 Nov 26;64(1):24. doi: 10.1007/s00394-024-03509-5.
Despite the important role of dietary fat in early childhood, our understanding of fat intake trends during this period is limited, particularly among Australian children. This study aimed to describe total and saturated fat (SFA) intake trends, food sources, and tracking in young Australian children.
Data of children at ages 9 months (n = 393), 18 months (n = 284), 3.5 years (n = 244), and 5 years (n = 240) from the Melbourne InFANT Program were used. Dietary intakes were collected via three 24-hour recalls. Food groups and nutrient intakes were calculated using the 2007 AUSNUT Food Composition Database. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize fat intake and key food sources of fat. Tracking of fat intake was examined using Pearson correlations of residualized fat scores between time points.
Total and SFA intake (g/d) increased over time in early childhood. The percentage of energy from total fat decreased from 9 to 18 months but remained stable until 5 years of age. The percentage of energy from SFA decreased across early childhood. Milk and milk products were the primary sources of both total fat and SFA, followed by breads/cereals, and cakes/cookies. Slight to moderate tracking of fat was observed in most age groups.
This study described trends and food sources of young children's fat intakes and showed that early fat intakes track up to age 5 years. The study will contribute to the development and refinement of fat recommendations in young Australian children and inform the design of interventions to improve fat intake.
尽管膳食脂肪在儿童早期起着重要作用，但我们对这一时期脂肪摄入量趋势的了解有限，尤其是在澳大利亚儿童中。本研究旨在描述澳大利亚幼儿总脂肪和饱和脂肪（SFA）的摄入量趋势、食物来源和追踪情况。
使用墨尔本婴幼儿纵向研究计划（Melbourne InFANT Program）中 9 个月（n=393）、18 个月（n=284）、3.5 岁（n=244）和 5 岁（n=240）儿童的数据。通过三次 24 小时回顾法收集饮食摄入量。使用 2007 年澳大利亚国家营养调查食物成分数据库（AUSNUT Food Composition Database）计算食物组和营养素摄入量。采用描述性统计方法总结脂肪摄入量和主要脂肪食物来源。通过残差脂肪评分在各时间点之间的皮尔逊相关系数来评估脂肪摄入量的追踪情况。
儿童在整个幼儿期的总脂肪和 SFA 摄入量（g/d）随时间增加。总脂肪供能比从 9 个月至 18 个月下降，但在 5 岁时保持稳定。SFA 供能比在整个幼儿期逐渐下降。牛奶和奶制品是总脂肪和 SFA 的主要来源，其次是面包/谷物和蛋糕/饼干。在大多数年龄组中都观察到轻微到中度的脂肪追踪情况。
本研究描述了幼儿脂肪摄入量的趋势和食物来源，并表明早期脂肪摄入量可追踪至 5 岁。该研究将有助于制定和完善澳大利亚幼儿的脂肪摄入量建议，并为改善脂肪摄入量的干预措施提供信息。
