Nutrient Intake Adequacy from Food and Beverage Intake of US Children Aged 1-6 Years from NHANES 2001-2016

Nutrients. 2021 Mar 3;13(3):827. doi: 10.3390/nu13030827.

Abstract

The early years, between the ages of one and six, are a period of rapid physical, social and cognitive growth and a nutritionally adequate diet is an important factor for optimum development. We investigated the micronutrient adequacy and status of young US children aged 1-6 years (n = 9848) using 24-h dietary recall interviews completed by parents and caregivers participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2001-2016. data. The proportion of the sample not meeting the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) increased with increasing age and was most pronounced for calcium. Despite adequate iron intake, 7.4% and 2.5% had signs of iron deficiency and anemia based on serum ferritin and hemoglobin levels, with younger children and WIC participants at most risk and Non-Hispanic Black children the least. Vitamin B6 intake was adequate, but 6.4% had serum pyridoxal-5-phosphate deficiency. For vitamin E, 69% had intakes below the estimated average requirement (EAR), yet serum deficiency was only detected in 0.9%. Vitamin D intake was inadequate for 87%, but true deficiency may be overestimated. Mean DHA intake was 24 mg/d, well below expert recommendations of 70-100 mg/day. Iron and vitamin B6 deficiency and inadequate calcium, fiber, choline, potassium and DHA intakes are a concern for a significant percentage of young children. The discrepancy between nutrient intakes and serum deficiency levels needs to be further investigated.

Keywords: NHANES; iron; nutrient adequacy; nutrient status; young children.

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Diet, Healthy / statistics & numerical data*
  • Eating / physiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Malnutrition / diagnosis
  • Malnutrition / epidemiology*
  • Malnutrition / etiology
  • Micronutrients / analysis*
  • Micronutrients / deficiency*
  • Nutrition Surveys
  • Nutritional Status
  • Recommended Dietary Allowances
  • United States / epidemiology

Substances

  • Micronutrients