David L. Yeung

Food and nutrient intake of infants during the first 18 months of life

Abstract Food and nutrient intakes of normal infants, from 1 to 18 months, in Toronto and Montreal were determined in a longitudinal survey. The energy content of the diets, except for the first month, was less than the recommended daily intake (RDI). However, the infants were growing at normal rates, suggesting that the RDI is high. The mean intakes of most nutrients were consistently above RDI. Dietary iron was low from 12 months onwards, whereas, the intakes of Vitamin A, Vitamin C and sodium were high. Low iron intake was due mainly to low intake of iron-fortified infant cereals. Vitamin supplements, containing Vitamins A and C were largely unnecessary since food alone provided sufficient amounts to meet RDI. High sodium intake was related to consumption of salted table foods. Milk was the main source of energy, protein, fat and most other nutrients. Infant cereals, fortified with iron, calcium, phosphorous, thiamin, riboflavin, and niacin were important sources of these nutrients. Fruit and fruit juices were the primary sources of Vitamin C and vegetables the main sources of Vitamin A. Meat provided much of the dietary protein in the later infancy. The results stressed the importance of infant diets comprising the four basic food groups.

Growth of infants during the first 18 months of life in urban and rural areas of southern China

Objective: Observe the growth pattern of infants from birth to 18 months.

Relationship between sodium intake in infancy and at 4 years of age

Abstract It has been postulated that feeding salt to infants and young children may lead to preference for salt in later life. However, there is little information in the literature to verity this hypothesis. The relationship between sodium intake in infancy and at preschool age was examined in a longitudinal nutrition survey. Statistical correlation between sodium intake at 4 years and in the second year, but not in the firt year was established. Preschool age children who were in the 90th percentile of sodium intake consistently ate more sodium than the population mean from 12 months onwards. These children were introduced saltedtable foods by 7 months. Preschool age children who were in the 10th percentile of sodium intake consistantly ate less sodium than the population mean and were introduced some salted-table foods at 8 months. The results suggest that sodium intake at preschool age reflects sodium intake in infancy and family taste preference.

The effects of 2% milk intake on infant nutrition

Abstract Defatted milks are not recommended during the first year of life. Despite this, by 6 months of age many parents feed their infants 2% milk. The effects of 2% milk intake on the nutrient intake and growth of 6 to 12 month-old infants who participated in a longitudinal nutrition survey conducted in Toronto and Montreal were examined. Infants given a 2% milk diet ate significantly more food, protein and calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, and riboflavin but less fat than infants fed formula or whole cows milk. Energy provided by protein was significantly higher and fat lower in the 2% milk diet. The renal solute load in the 2% milk diet was significantly higher than in the whole milk diets. Despite these dietary differences, physical size and growth between the 2 groups of infants were similar. The implications of the results are discussed. Further studies are suggested to resolve the validity of current recommendation.

The growth and feeding patterns of 9 to 12 month old Chinese Canadian infants

The growth of infants and children in China has been reported to be below that of international reference standards. Both environmental and genetic factors are hypothesized to be determinants of this observed growth pattern. This study, utilizing a cross sectional design, examined the growth and feeding patterns of a sample of Chinese Canadian infants in Toronto at 9 (n = 28), 10 (n = 33), 11 (n = 35) and 12 (n = 34) months of age. These infants achieved heights as described by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) standard. However, their weight and weight for height scores were below NCHS medians (p < 0.05). Although no explanation for the overall lower body weights of this sample of infants was found, feeding practices contributed to weight variance. A longer duration of breastfeeding was associated with lighter infants (p < 0.05). Conversely, a longer duration of feeding of formula was associated with heavier infants (p < 0.05). By or at 4 months, introduction of complementary foods in general, as well as specific complementary foods (home-prepared carbohydrates, vegetables and fruits) were associated with higher weight and weight for height scores (p < 0.05). It was concluded that Chinese Canadian infants in Toronto have the potential at birth to achieve lengths equivalent to the NCHS reference median at nine to 12 months of age.

Growth and feeding practices of 4 and 8 months infants in Southern China

Abstract A cross-sectional study was conducted to observe the growth and feeding practices of infants in Southern China. The study comprised 758 infants at 4 (n = 383) and 8 (n = 375) months of age in Guangzhou City, and 398 infants at 4 months of age in the rural areas of Guangdong Province. Anthropometrics and feeding information were obtained. In the city, the mean Z-scores of weight-for-age (WAZ), height-for-age (HAZ) and weight-for-height (WHZ) of the infants were above the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) reference median at 4 months. By 8 months, WAZ and WHZ, but not HAZ scores, were below the NCHS reference median (p

Growth of four to eight month old Chinese infants in Toronto

The most frequently reported growth faltering in China is, for infants, between the ages of four to eight months. Both environmental and genetic factors are hypothesised to be responsible for the observed growth faltering. To examine the effect of environment on growth, height and weight, 148 healthy four to eight month old infants were recruited from three paediatric practices in Metropolitan Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Information on feeding patterns was obtained. This sample of infants was growing at or above the NCHS reference median from four to six months of age. However, by eight months, mean weight z-scores were significantly lower than the NCHS reference median. The origin of lower body weight at eight months of age was unexplained by the dietary information. Infants at four to six months of age that were breast fed at one, two and three months were of lower body weight than those that were not. It was concluded that Chinese Canadian infants in Toronto have the potential at birth to achieve growth patterns equivalent to NCHS reference standard at four to eight months of age.

Nutrition of infants and young children in China.

Approximately 20 million infants are born in China annually. During the neonatal period most of the infants are breastfed and they grow at rates similar to infants raised in industrialized countries. Past three months of age, particularly in urban areas, many infants are weaned from the breast and are given foods of low nutritional value. Consequently suboptimal growth, and iron deficiency are prevalent. Vitamin D-deficiency rickets and zinc deficiency are also evident. Other nutritional problems such as protein-calorie malnutrition, deficiences of vitamin A, calcium, and the B-vitamins have been reported but no statistics on the prevalence of these problems are available. Infant obesity is an emerging problem. Selenium and iodine deficiencies have been controlled. Child health and welfare are emphasized in public health services in China, but the knowledge of infant feeding practices needs to be improved.

Vitamin supplements ― are they necessary for infants and preschoolers?

The contribution of vitamin supplements (VS) to diets of infants and preschoolers was assessed in a longitudinal survey conducted in Toronto and Montreal. Initially 403 healthy newborns participated in the study. The nutrient intakes of the subjects were estimated by the 4-day dietary record method at 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 15, and 18 months and again at 4 years. In the first month about 50%, and thereafter between 66 and 82% of the population were provided VS. During early infancy, VS usage was mostly on the advice of the attending physician and was more prevalent among breastfeeders than bottlefeeders. At 4 years, VS usage was primarily related to usage by other members of the family. Socio-economic factors had little influence on VS usage. Except for the additional vitamins furnished by VS, the diets of VS users and non-users were similar. There was no difference in the weight, length and height gain between the 2 groups of subjects. The results suggest that VS are largely unnecessary.

Sources of Energy and Nutrients in Diets of the Elderly Living in Toronto

The contribution of the various food groups to the nutrient intakes of a group of independently-living elderly individuals in Toronto is described. The pattern of meal and food intakes generally provided enough of the nutrients, excepting calcium, to meet the Recommended Nutrient Intakes for Canadians. Mean energy intake was low. It is suggested that if relatively small amounts of the foods ingested at the different meals are raised, it will likely provide enough energy and all the nutrients to satisfy the recommended levels of intake.