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BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Previous research has shown, in predominantly European populations, that dietary patterns are evident early in life. However, little is known about early-life dietary patterns in Australian children. We aimed to describe dietary patterns of Australian toddlers and their associations with socio-demographic characteristics and adiposity. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Principal component analysis was applied to 3 days (1 x 24-h recall and 2 x 24-h record) data of 14 (n = 552)- and 24 (n = 493)-month-old children from two Australian studies, NOURISH and South Australian Infant Dietary Intake (SAIDI). Associations with dietary patterns were investigated using regression analyses. RESULTS: Two patterns were identified at both ages. At 14 months, the first pattern was characterised by fruit, grains, vegetables, cheese and nuts/seeds ('14-month core foods') and the second pattern was characterised by white bread, milk, spreads, juice and ice-cream ('basic combination'). Similarly, at 24 months the '24-month core foods' pattern included fruit, vegetables, dairy, nuts/seeds, meat and water, whereas the 'non-core foods' included white bread, spreads, sweetened beverages, snacks, chocolate and processed meat. Lower maternal age and earlier breastfeeding cessation were associated with higher 'basic combination' and 'non-core foods' pattern scores, whereas earlier and later solid introduction were associated with higher 'basic combination' and '24-month core foods' pattern scores, respectively. Patterns were not associated with body mass index (BMI) z-score. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary patterns reflecting core and non-core food intake are identifiable in Australian toddlers. These findings support the need to intervene early with parents to promote healthy eating in children and can inform future investigations on the effects of early diet on long-term health. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2013) 67, 638-645; doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2013.23; published online 27 February 2013 Keywords: dietary patterns; PCA; Australia; socio-demographic; BMI, INTRODUCTION Nutritional research has expanded to consider whole diet in addition to individual nutrients and foods. (1) Summarising multiple dietary components into an overall diet measure takes into account correlations [...]

Objective: To determine the minimum number of days of dietary intake interviews required to reduce the effects of random error (day-to-day variability in dietary intake) when using the multiple-pass, multiple-day, [...]

Objective: To investigate the relationship between food energy and macronutrient intake and body fatness assessed up to seven times between 2 and 15 y of age. Design: Prospective, observational study. Generalised linear estimating equations were used to evaluate the longitudinal relationship between body fatness and macronutrient intake. Regression analysis was used to assess whether body fatness at a particular age was predicted by intake at any of the previous ages. Setting: Community-based project in Adelaide, South Australia. Subjects: In all 143-243 subjects from a representative birth cohort of healthy children recruited in 1975 and followed over 15 y. Main outcome measures: The dependent variables were body mass index (BMI), triceps (TC) and subscapular (SS) skinfolds, expressed as standard deviation (s.d.) scores at each age. The predictor variables were energy-adjusted macronutrient intake and total energy intake, estimated from a 3-4 day diet diary, the previous corresponding measure of body fatness, sex and parental BMI, TC or SS. Results: Across 2-15y energy-adjusted fat and carbohydrate intakes were respectively directly and inversely related to SS skinfold measures but not to either BMI or TC skinfold. The best predictor of fatness was previous adiposity, with the effect strengthening as the age interval shortened. Parental BMI, maternal SS and paternal TC contributed to the variance of the corresponding measure in children at some but not all ages. Conclusions: The current level of body fatness of the child and parental adiposity are more important predictors than dietary intake variables of risk of children becoming or remaining overweight as they grow. Descriptors: obesity; children; adolescents; diet composition; longitudinal; adiposity European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2001) 55, 471-481, Introduction The prevalence of obesity is increasing worldwide and is a priority public health issue. The recent report from a WHO Consultation on Obesity recognised obesity 'as a disease, which [...]

Investigates the relationship between food energy and macronutrient intake and body fatness assessed up to seven times between 2 and 15 years of age. Theoretical reasons why dietary fat may have a role in the development of obesity; Number of subjects and mean anthropometric measures and associated standard deviation scores for age; Mean of daily energy and macronutrient intake for boys and girls at each age.