Food and Nutrient Intakes of Nova Scotian Children in Home and Childcare Environments
Publication: Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
21 July 2021
Abstract
Purpose: To describe the energy (E), sodium, saturated fat, sugar, and fibre intakes of a sample of children attending regulated childcare (RCC) in Nova Scotia.
Methods: Nutrient analyses from 79 food records were compiled and grouped by intakes in and outside of RCC, age, sex, location of the RCC (urban or rural), and nutrient intake data. Descriptive statistics and independent t tests were conducted.
Results: Mean E and macronutrients were within recommended ranges and, for days attending RCC, 45%E was consumed in RCC. Saturated fat intake was 12%E on average. Mean sodium intake exceeded or approached the tolerable upper limit for 3-year olds (1726 mg/day) and 4–5-year olds (1770 mg/day), respectively. Total sugar was 27%E intake and significantly more sugar was consumed outside RCC and by boys compared to girls. Mean daily dietary fibre intake was below recommended levels (15 g/day).
Conclusions: On average dietary intakes of children exceeded recommendations for sodium, saturated fat, and sugar with higher intakes outside RCC. The foods provided by RCC have a positive influence on children’s intakes, but given the pervasiveness of sugar and sodium in the food environment and the challenges of feeding children, support is needed for both RCC and families to encourage healthy eating behaviours for positive growth and development.
Résumé
Objectif. Décrire les apports en énergie (E), en sodium, en gras saturés, en sucre et en fibres chez un échantillon d’enfants fréquentant des services de garde agréés (SGA) en Nouvelle-Écosse.
Méthodes. Des analyses de nutriments provenant de 79 journaux alimentaires ont été compilées et classées en fonction des apports à l’intérieur et à l’extérieur des SGA, de l’âge, du sexe, de l’emplacement du SGA (milieu urbain ou rural) et des données sur les apports en nutriments. Des statistiques descriptives et des tests t indépendants ont été réalisés.
Résultats. L’E et les macronutriments moyens se situaient dans les plages recommandées et, pour les jours de fréquentation du SGA, 45 % de l’E était consommée au SGA. L’apport en gras saturés correspondait en moyenne à 12 % de l’E. L’apport moyen en sodium dépassait ou approchait l’apport maximal tolérable chez les enfants de 3 ans (1 726 mg/jour) et de 4 à 5 ans (1 770 mg/jour). Les sucres totaux représentaient 27 % de l’E, et considérablement plus de sucre était consommé en dehors des SGA et par les garçons. L’apport quotidien moyen en fibres alimentaires était inférieur aux quantités recommandées (15 g/jour).
Conclusions. En moyenne, les apports alimentaires des enfants dépassaient les recommandations pour sodium, les gras saturés et le sucre, et les apports étaient plus élevés en dehors des SGA. Les aliments fournis par les SGA ont une influence positive sur les apports des enfants, mais étant donné l’omniprésence du sucre et du sodium dans l’environnement alimentaire et les défis que représente l’alimentation des enfants, un soutien est nécessaire, tant pour les SGA que pour les familles, afin de favoriser de saines habitudes alimentaires ainsi qu’une bonne croissance et un bon développement.
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Financial support: Funding for this research opportunity was provided through an Establishment Grant from the Nova Scotia Health Research Foundation (currently Research Nova Scotia). A grant from the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness, Public Health Branch was also received and allowed for the addition of a rural extension to the project.
Conflict of interest: The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
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Published In
Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
Volume 82 • Number 4 • December 2021
Pages: 176 - 182
Editor: Naomi Cahill Ph.D RD
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Version of record online: 21 July 2021
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© 2021.
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Melissa D.RossiterRD, PhD, LindaMannPDt, MBA, ErinKellyRD, MAHN, and Sara F.L.KirkPhD. 2021. Food and Nutrient Intakes of Nova Scotian Children in Home and Childcare Environments. Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research.
82(4): 176-182. https://doi.org/10.3148/cjdpr-2021-011
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