Unbalanced Diets Putting Toddlers at Risk of Disease in Later Life

Parents of the 21-month-olds filled in three-day food diaries and researchers from University College London (UCL) analyzed the results.

They found that average daily calorie intake “significantly exceeded” the recommended amount of 968 calories, with two-thirds (63%) of children having too many and consuming an average of 1,035.
The researchers warned that over the long term, eating too many calories would lead to obesity, heart disease and Type 2 diabetes.

 

Meanwhile, almost all children (99%) had more salt than the 0.5g daily recommended by the Department of Health (DH), with many children having three times too much. Too much salt could “set taste preference for the future” and put them at risk of high blood pressure and strokes in later life.

 

Protein intake among almost all children was nearly three times higher (40g) than the recommended 15g. The researchers said protein consumption is so high because parents are giving their toddlers too much milk, yoghurt and other dairy products.
Once children are weaned on to solids they should not drink too much cow’s milk or formula. But the team found that at 21 months, the average British toddler was getting a quarter of its calories from cow’s milk – far more than recommended as the NHS advises they should not get more than 600ml – a little over a pint – a day.

 

High intake of protein and too many calories overall raises their risk of obesity.

 

The Government recommends that all children aged six months to five years should take a daily vitamin supplement containing vitamins A, C and D. However, the study found youngsters were also lacking in essential vitamins. Vitamin D intake, including the small number of children (7%) already given supplements, was less than half that recommended by the DH. Most children (84%) did not meet the recommended amount of seven to 8.5 micrograms a day, with the average intake being just 2.3 micrograms a day.

 

Only 30% of children got enough iron (recommended to be 6.9 micrograms per day). A lack of iron can cause heart and lung problems and increase the risk of illness and infection.

 

The researchers also urged parents to follow Government guidelines on giving children up to the age of five supplements to boost levels of iron and vitamin D.

 

Vitamin D occurs naturally in only a few foods, such as oily fish and eggs, and is added to some items like fat spreads and breakfast cereals. Most people get vitamin D from sunshine, but experts have warned that the tendency to put sunscreen on children at all times in sunny weather means that they are missing out. It helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body, therefore a lack of vitamin D can lead to bone deformities such as rickets in children.

 

In 2013, England’s chief medical officer, Professor Dame Sally Davies, said the Government would consider giving all under-fives free vitamins due to rising fears about vitamin deficiency. However, only low-income families currently qualify for free vitamins.

 

Hayley Syrad, from UCL’s department of epidemiology and health, said: “The research suggests that the current diets of young children in England are a cause for concern.”

 

“We know that dietary preferences and habits are established during the first two years of life and that what we eat in early life can have an enduring impact on our health.”

 

She added: “Parents need more guidance on the appropriate type, amount and variety of foods and beverages, together with appropriate micronutrient supplementation in order to reduce obesity and other health problems that may affect their children.”