According to researchers who reviewed the diets of children aged 12 to 18 months, total calories increased appropriately and intakes of certain key nutrients such as vitamins A, C, B and D and calcium remained above recommended levels.

However, zinc and vitamin E intakes fell "well below" recommendations, and iron intake declined significantly among many children.

The researchers believe that their study findings highlight the need for dietary guidelines for children between 1 and 2 years old. During this period, adult-style foods begin to replace breast milk and formula.

The guidelines, the authors write in the July issue of Pediatrics, should emphasize commonly consumed foods such as cereals, which were found to contribute to iron and vitamin E intake; meat, which contributed to intakes of iron and zinc; and dairy products, which also contain zinc.

"The nutrient needs for growth and maintenance necessitate transition to a nutrient-dense diet, because the percentage of (calories) from milk and formula declines rapidly," according to Dr. Mary Frances Picciano and colleagues of Pennsylvania State University in University Park.

Zinc is a mineral that is essential for growth and development. It also helps maintain the immune system's ability to fight infectious diseases and diarrhea.

Vitamin E, an important antioxidant vitamin, has been linked to lower rates of disease. Adequate iron intake prevents anemia and is essential for motor and cognitive development. According to the researchers, effects of early iron deficiency may not be reversible.

To investigate the diets of children in the second year of life, the researchers surveyed parents of 55 children from the time their child was 12 months old until 18 months of age. Each month, investigators weighed children and measured their height and body fat to assess growth.

Children came from middle- to upper-middle class families and 89 percent of children were white.

The research team found that many children were not only deficient in some key nutrients but that one-third were consuming less than 30% of calories from fat by 18 months of age. Nutritionists do not recommend low-fat diets for children before the age of 5 because they may not provide enough calories to ensure adequate growth. Furthermore, low-fat diets may make it difficult to obtain recommended levels of certain nutrients.

Indeed, no child consuming less than 30 percent of calories from fat met vitamin E recommendations at 12 months, and only one child met the recommendation for the vitamin by the age of 18 months. Vitamin E is found in high-fat foods such as oils.

Picciano and colleagues write that their study did not assess whether parents consciously restricted fat. They note, however, that their findings reflect results of a recent national survey, which found many parents in the United States feed their children low-fat diets in the second year of life.

Children Not Getting Enough Iron, Zinc and Vitamin E
Many children in the United States do not consume enough iron, zinc and vitamin E between the first and second year of life, putting them at increased risk for delayed growth and development as well as a host of illnesses.

According to researchers who reviewed the diets of children aged 12 to 18 months, total calories increased appropriately and intakes of certain key nutrients such as vitamins A, C, B and D and calcium remained above recommended levels.

However, zinc and vitamin E intakes fell "well below" recommendations, and iron intake declined significantly among many children.

The researchers believe that their study findings highlight the need for dietary guidelines for children between 1 and 2 years old. During this period, adult-style foods begin to replace breast milk and formula.

The guidelines, the authors write in the July issue of Pediatrics, should emphasize commonly consumed foods such as cereals, which were found to contribute to iron and vitamin E intake; meat, which contributed to intakes of iron and zinc; and dairy products, which also contain zinc.

"The nutrient needs for growth and maintenance necessitate transition to a nutrient-dense diet, because the percentage of (calories) from milk and formula declines rapidly," according to Dr. Mary Frances Picciano and colleagues of Pennsylvania State University in University Park.

Zinc is a mineral that is essential for growth and development. It also helps maintain the immune system's ability to fight infectious diseases and diarrhea.

Vitamin E, an important antioxidant vitamin, has been linked to lower rates of disease. Adequate iron intake prevents anemia and is essential for motor and cognitive development. According to the researchers, effects of early iron deficiency may not be reversible.

To investigate the diets of children in the second year of life, the researchers surveyed parents of 55 children from the time their child was 12 months old until 18 months of age. Each month, investigators weighed children and measured their height and body fat to assess growth.

Children came from middle- to upper-middle class families and 89 percent of children were white.
The research team found that many children were not only deficient in some key nutrients but that one-third were consuming less than 30% of calories from fat by 18 months of age. Nutritionists do not recommend low-fat diets for children before the age of 5 because they may not provide enough calories to ensure adequate growth. Furthermore, low-fat diets may make it difficult to obtain recommended levels of certain nutrients.

Indeed, no child consuming less than 30 percent of calories from fat met vitamin E recommendations at 12 months, and only one child met the recommendation for the vitamin by the age of 18 months. Vitamin E is found in high-fat foods such as oils.

Picciano and colleagues write that their study did not assess whether parents consciously restricted fat. They note, however, that their findings reflect results of a recent national survey, which found many parents in the United States feed their children low-fat diets in the second year of life.