Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Nutrient intake of Swiss toddlers

  • Original Contribution
  • Published:
European Journal of Nutrition Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

During the first years of life, food preferences are shaped that might last throughout a person’s entire life affecting his/her health in the long term. However, knowledge on early feeding habits is still limited for toddlers. Therefore, the goal of the present study was to: (1) assess toddlers’ nutrient intake; (2) compare the findings to past studies as well as to national feeding recommendations and (3) identify major food sources for energy and macronutrients.

Methods

A food survey using a 4-day diary was conducted. The dietary software nut.s® was used to analyse the data.

Results

A cohort of 188 healthy toddlers (aged 1–3 years) was analysed. The energy intake of most toddlers was below the recommended daily intake (RDI) but in accordance with earlier studies. Protein intake was three- to fourfold higher than the RDI and reached the proposed upper limit of 15% of total energy intake. Fat intake was in accordance with the RDI, but the balance of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids should be improved. Carbohydrate intake met the RDI. For the micronutrients, iron and vitamin D intakes showed critical values.

Conclusion

As in other European countries, the diet of Swiss toddlers in general seems adequate but does not meet all nutritional requirements. In particular, the quality of the fats and vitamin D supplementation should be improved. For proteins and iron, additional research is needed to gain more confidence in the recommendations.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Dietz WH (1994) Critical periods in childhood for the development of obesity. Am J Clin Nutr 59:955–959

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Hanley B, Dijane J, Fewtrell M, Grynberg A, Hummel S, Junien C et al (2010) Metabolic imprinting, programming and epigenetics—a review of present priorities and future opportunities. Br J Nutr 104:S1–S25

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Reilly JJ, Kelly J (2011) Long-term impact of overweight and obesity in childhood and adolescence on morbidity and premature mortality in adulthood: systematic review. Int J Obes 35:891–898

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Agostoni C, Decsi T, Fewtrell M, Goulet O, Kolacek S, Michaelsen KF et al (2008) Complementary feeding: a commentary by the ESPGHAN Committee on Nutrition. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 46:99–110

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Carruth BR, Ziegler PJ, Gordon A, Hendricks K (2004) Developmental milestones and self-feeding behaviors in infants and toddlers. J Am Diet Assoc 104:S51–S56

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Briefel RR, Reidy K, Karwe V, Jankowski L, Hendricks K (2004) Toddlers’ transition to table foods: impact on nutrient intakes and food patterns. J Am Diet Assoc 104:S38–S44

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. de Lauzon-Guillain B, Jones L, Oliveira A, Moschonis G, Betoko A, Lopes C et al (2013) The influence of early feeding practices on fruit and vegetable intake among preschool children in 4 European birth cohorts. Am J Clin Nutr 86:1765–1772

    Google Scholar 

  8. Schwartz C, Madrelle J, Vereijken CMJI, Weenen H, Nicklaus S, Hetherington MM (2013) Complementary feeding and “donner les bases du goût” (providing the foundation of taste). A qualitative approach to understand weaning practices, attitudes and experiences by French mothers. Appetite 71:321–331

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Garvey WT, Mechanick JI, Brett EM, Garber AJ, Hurley DL, Jastreboff AM (2016) American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and American College of Endocrinology comprehensive clinical practice guidelines for medical care of patients with obesity. Endocr Pract 22:1–203

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Kit BK, Flegal KM (2012) Prevalence of obesity and trends in body mass index among US children and adolescents, 1999–2010. JAMA 307:483–490

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. World Obesity Federation (2016) http://www.worldobesity.org/. Accessed 1 March 2016

  12. Cordeiro JP, Dalmaso SB, Anceschi SA, de Sa FGD, Ferreira LG, da Cunha MRH et al (2016) Hypertension in public school students from Vitoria/ES: influence of overweight and obesity. Rev Bras Med Esporte 22:59–65

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Ali MM, Amialchuk A, Rizzo JA (2012) The influence of body weight on social network ties among adolescents. Econ Hum Biol 10:20–34

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Mooney SJ, El-Sayed AM (2016) Stigma and the etiology of depression among the obese: an agent-based exploration. Soc Sci Med 148:1–7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Dattilo AM, Birch L, Krebs NF, Lake A, Taveras EM, Saavedra JM (2012) Need for early interventions in the prevention of pediatric overweight: a review and upcoming directions. J Obes 2012:1–18

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Saavedra JM, Deming D, Dattilo AM, Reidy K (2013) Lessons from the feeding infants and Toddlers study in North America: what children eat, and implications for obesity prevention. Ann Nutr Metab 62:27–36

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Bates B, Lennox A, Prentice A, Bates C, Page P, Nicholson S et al (2014) National diet and nutrition survey: results from years 1, 2, 3 and 4 (combined) of the rolling programme (2008/2009–2011/2012). A survey carried out on behalf of Public Health England and the Food Standards Agency

  18. Cowin I, Emmett P (2007) Diet in a group of 18-month-old children in South West England, and comparison with the results of a national survey. J Hum Nutr Diet 20:254–267

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Emmett P, Rogers I, Symes C (2002) Food and nutrient intakes of a population sample of 3-year-old children in the south west of England in 1996. Public Health Nutr 5:55–64

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Fantino M, Gourmet E (2008) Apports nutritionnels en France en 2005 chez les enfants non allaités âgés de moins de 36 mois. Arch Pediatrie 15:446–455

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Foterek K, Hilbig A, Kersting M, Alexy U (2015) Age and time trends in the diet of young children: results of the DONALD study. Eur J Nutr 55:611–620

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Huybrechts I, De Henauw S (2007) Energy and nutrient intake by pre-school children in Flanders-Belgium. Br J Nutr 98:600–610

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Walton J (2012) National Pre-School Nutrition Survey. Irish Universities Nutrition Alliance

  24. Goldbohm RA, Rubingh CM, Lanting CI, Joosten KFM (2016) Food consumption and nutrient intake by children aged 10 to 48 months attending day care in The Netherlands. Nutr 8:428

    Google Scholar 

  25. Huysentruyt K, Laire D, van Avondt T, de Schepper J, Vandenplas Y (2016) Energy and macronutrient intakes and adherence to dietary guidelines of infants and toddlers in Belgium. Eur J Nutr 55:1595–1604

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Kyttälä P, Erkkola M, Kronberg-Kippilä C, Tapanainen H, Veijola R, Simell O et al (2010) Food consumption and nutrient intake in Finnish 1–6-year-old children. Public Health Nutr 13(6A):947–956

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Manios Y, Grammatikaki E, Papoutsou S, Liarigkovinos T, Kondaki K, Moschonis G (2008) Nutrient intakes of toddlers and preschoolers in Greece: the GENESIS study. J Am Diet Assoc 108:357–361

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Ocké M, Brants H, Dofkova M, Freisling H, van Rossum C, Ruprich J et al (2015) Feasibility of dietary assessment methods, other tools and procedures for a pan-European food consumption survey among infants, toddlers and children. Eur J Nutr 54:721–732

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Ocké MC, van-Rossum CTM, Fransen HP, Buurma EJM, de Boer EJ, Brants HAM et al (2008) Dutch National Food Consumption Survey-Young Children 2005/2006. RIVM Report 350070001/2008. RIVM, Bilthoven

  30. Serra-Majem L, Ribas-Barba L, Perez-Rodrigo C, Bartrina JA (2006) Nutrient adequacy in Spanish children and adolescents. Br J Nutr 96:S49–S57

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Briefel RR, Kalb LM, Condon E, Deming DM, Clusen NA, Fox MK et al (2010) The feeding infants and toddlers study 2008: study design and methods. J Am Diet Assoc 110:S16–S26

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Butte NF, Fox MK, Briefel RR, Siega-Riz AM, Dwyer JT, Deming DM et al (2010) Nutrient intakes of US infants, toddlers, and preschoolers meet or exceed dietary reference intakes. J Am Diet Assoc 110:S27–S37

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Hilbig A, Drossard C, Kersting M, Alexy U (2015) Nutrient adequacy and associated factors in a nationwide sample of German toddlers. J Pediatr Gastr Nutr 61:130–137

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ernährung (DGE), Österreichische Gesellschaft für Ernährung (ÖGE), Schweizerische Gesellschaft für Ernährung (SGE) (2015) D-A-CH Referenzwerte für die Nährstoffzufuhr. Bonn, Germany

    Google Scholar 

  35. Federal Commission for Nutrition (2009) Kohlenhydrate in der Ernährung. Stellungnahme und Empfehlungen der Eidgenössischen Ernährungskommission. Federal Office for Public Health, Zürich

    Google Scholar 

  36. Federal Commission for Nutrition (2012) Vitamin D deficiency: evidence, safety, and recommendations for the Swiss population. Expert report of the FCN. Federal Office for Public Health, Zürich

    Google Scholar 

  37. Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (2014) Fette in unserer Ernährung. Bern

  38. Kent JC, Hepworth AR, Sherriff JL, Cox DB, Mitoulas LR, Hartmann PE (2013) Longitudinal changes in breastfeeding patterns from 1 to 6 months of lactation. Breastfeed Med 8:401–407

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Kent JC, Mitoulas LR, Cregan MD, Ramsay DT, Doherty DA, Hartmann PE (2006) Volume and frequency of breastfeedings and fat content of breast milk throughout the day. Pediatrics 117:e387–e395

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. FAO/WHO/UNU (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations/World Health Organization/United Nations University) (2002) Protein and amino acid requirements in human nutrition: report of a joint FAO/WHO/UNU expert consultation. WHO technical report series. WHO, Geneva

    Google Scholar 

  41. Skov AR, Toubro S, Ronn B, Holm L, Astrup A (1999) Randomized trial on protein vs carbohydrate in ad libitum fat reduced diet for the treatment of obesity. Int J Obes 23:528–536

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Agostoni C, Scaglioni S, Ghisleni D, Verduci E, Giovannini M, Riva E (2005) How much protein is safe? Int J Obes 29:S8–S13

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) (2012) Scientific opinion on dietary reference values for protein. EFSA J 10:2557

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Health Council of the Netherlands (2001) Dietary reference intakes: energy, proteins, fats, and digestible carbohydrates. Health Council of the Netherlands, Den Haag

    Google Scholar 

  45. Kersting M, Alexy U, Clausen K (2005) Using the concept of food based dietary guidelines to develop an optimized mixed diet (OMD) for German children and adolescents. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 40:301–308

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Akkermans MD, van der Horst-Graat JM, Eussen RBM, van Goudover JB, Brus F (2016) Iron and vitamin D deficiency in healthy young children in Western Europe despite current nutritional recommendations. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 62:635–642

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. EFSA (2013) Scientific opinion on nutrient requirements and dietary intakes of infants and young children. EFSA J 11:3408

    Google Scholar 

  48. Patro-Golab B, Zalewski BM, Kouwenhoven SMP, Karas J, Koletzko B, van Goudoever JB et al (2016) Protein concentration in milk formula, growth, and later risk of obesity: a systematic review. J Nutr 146:551–564

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. World Health Organization (2010) Nutrition Landscape Information System (NLIS), Country profile indicators, Interpretation guide. WHO, Geneva

    Google Scholar 

  50. Braegger C, Jenni OG, Konrad D, Molinari L (2011) Neue Wachstumskurven für die Schweiz. Schweizerische Ärztezeitung 92:229–230

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. FAO/WHO/UNU (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations/World Health Organization/United Nations University) (2004) Human energy requirements: report of a joint FAO/WHO/UNU expert consultation. Food and nutrition technical report series. WHO, Rome

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors thank all the participants for taking part in this study. We also thank the Swiss Society for Nutrition SSN for their advice in interpreting the data.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, Food Science and Management, Bern University of Applied Sciences, Länggasse 85, 3052, Zollikofen, Switzerland

    Thomas A. Brunner, Luca Casetti & Petra Haueter

  2. Paediatric Gastroenterology, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Switzerland, St. Gallen, Switzerland

    Pascal Müller

  3. Paediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Paediatrics, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland

    Andreas Nydegger

  4. Paediatric Gastroenterology, Children’s Hospital, Lucerne, Switzerland

    Johannes Spalinger

Authors
  1. Thomas A. Brunner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Luca Casetti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Petra Haueter
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Pascal Müller
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Andreas Nydegger
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Johannes Spalinger
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Thomas A. Brunner.

Ethics declarations

Ethical approval

The manuscript does not contain clinical studies or patient data. Therefore, no approval by an ethical committee was necessary.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Sources of funding

Milupa SA (Danone) provided the funding to conduct this study. Milupa SA did not take part in the analyses and interpretation of the data or in writing the article.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Brunner, T.A., Casetti, L., Haueter, P. et al. Nutrient intake of Swiss toddlers. Eur J Nutr 57, 2489–2499 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-017-1521-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-017-1521-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation