The review examined the micronutrient adequacy of diets of 9,848 children aged 1-6 years in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and found that the proportion of children who failed to meet the reference dietary intake of key micronutrients increased with age and was most pronounced for calcium, vitamin D, potassium, choline, and fiber.
For example, 79.2% of 1 to 2 year olds had a vitamin D deficiency compared to 87.3% of 2 to 3 year olds and 90.8% of 4 to 6 year olds. Likewise, 3.6% of 1 to 3 year olds were calcium deficient, compared with 30.4% of 4 to 6 year olds.
The review, which is just one of a few studies examining the nutritional efficiency of toddler and child nutrition shortly after the first 1,000 days, also found that vitamin E and B6, DHA and iron deficiencies were prevalent between 1 and 6-year-olds .
Overall, the decline in micronutrient levels from infancy through age six shows the vulnerability of children in this age group in transitioning from milk as their main source of energy to more solids and ultimately family nutrition, the study said.
“During this time, children can also develop selective dietary preferences that eliminate certain foods and / or food groups,” the researchers explain.
The deficits could also be partly due to caregivers not fully understanding children’s nutritional needs and how quickly their growing bodies and brains deplete nutrients. Emerging diet patterns – plant-based, for example – that may not have as many kid-friendly options with the micronutrients that may be neglected could also contribute to the decline.
Simple whole foods swaps can fill the loop
While these deficiencies are problematic, they don’t mean that toddlers and toddlers need highly fortified foods, special dietary supplements, or follow-on formula for toddlers – although these products have a place in some children’s diets – Natasha Burget, pediatrician and spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics, towards FoodNavigator-USA.
She explained that most toddlers and toddlers need simple, nutritious whole foods that can help fill the micronutrient gaps in their diet – like an extra egg with breakfast one day a week or a serving of whole milk with dinner.
Nutrient calls on packs are missing out on educational opportunities education
Likewise, she said, most infant caregivers in the food industry need additional, contextual information about nutrition and nutrition beyond the “overwhelming” nutritional advisories on the packaging to help them understand how food makes for an overall healthy body fit lifestyle.
“Diet doesn’t have to be that complicated, but some of the nutritional labels on some of the foods that are designed to help highlight the various nutrients our foods provide can be confusing for families when it comes to them once while walking the aisles go to the grocery store, ”said Burget.
She explained, “Nutrition is so much more than what you could put into a glass. It’s the relationship you have with food and family. It’s the memories that you make. It’s the feeling you get … and the bonds we make while dining at a family gathering. It must be viewed more globally as an ability for the social and emotional well-being of children that is not just on the plate, in the side dish or in the glass. “
While this can be too much to explain on food packaging, brands can help get that message across through digital marketing, their websites, and partnerships with public health advocates.
For example, the recently launched Veggies Early and Oft campaign by Partnership for a Healthier America aims to deliver positive, science-based messages that children can learn to love vegetables and to showcase brands and organizations that promote their “Veggies Early & Oft “As a reliable product, indicators assume that products are veggie-forward.
Campaign participants, such as Good Feeding and Tiny Organics, offer caregivers more than just food – they also provide detailed feeding recommendations and explain to parents the importance of different foods in diet, as well as skill development.
Eventually, while the study uncovered some micronutrient deficiencies, Burget stressed that most US children consume most of the micronutrients they need to thrive – which, in her opinion, should give caregivers “reassurance” that they are not changing children’s eating habits dramatically need to buy innumerable specialty items.
In fact, the study found that most U.S. children ages 1-6 have adequate intakes of vitamins A, B6, B12, and C, as well as thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folic acid, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc.
It also found that most children consume adequate amounts of iron and B6 but are still deficient due to biomarkers – suggesting that the sources of these micronutrients could affect their bioavailability and are being considered by caregivers and other stakeholders should be.
source https://dailyhealthynews.ca/educational-marketing-focused-on-nutrition-could-help-close-micronutrient-gaps-in-vulnerable-toddlers/
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