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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 [...]

To explore parents' perceptions of the eating behaviors and related feeding practices of their young children. Mothers (N = 740) of children aged 12-36 months and born in South Australia were randomly selected by birth date in four 6-month age bands from a centralized statewide database and invited to complete a postal questionnaire. Valid completed questionnaires were returned for 374 children (51% response rate; 54% female). Although mothers generally reported being confident and happy in feeding their children, 23% often worried that they gave their child the right amount of food. Based on a checklist of 36 specified items, 15% of children consumed no vegetables in the previous 24 h, 11% no fruit and for a further 8% juice was the only fruit. Of 12 specified high fat/sugar foods and drinks, 11% of children consumed none, 20% one, 26% two, and 43% three or more. Six of eight child-feeding practices that promote healthy eating behaviors were undertaken by 75% parents 'often' or 'all of the time' However, 8 of 11 practices that do not promote healthy eating were undertaken by a third of mothers at least 'sometimes' In this representative sample, dietary quality issues emerge early and inappropriate feeding practices are prevalent thus identifying the need for very early interventions that promote healthy food preferences and positive feeding practices. Such programs should focus not just on the 'what', but also the 'how' of early feeding, including the feeding relationship and processes appropriate to developmental stage. Keywords Maternal feeding practices Infants Obesity, Introduction Primary prevention of childhood overweight is a high priority because 20-25% of 2-8 year olds in Australia are currently overweight [1, 2] with similar prevalences in other developed countries [...]

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 [...]

Objectives: To develop food-based recommendations to lower fat and energy intake for use in a family-focussed weight management programme for 6–9 year old children.Methods: Secondary analysis of the 1995 National Nutrition Survey (NNS95) informed the development of food-based recommendations aiming to reduce fat and energy intake. Each recommendation was used to progressively modify a model 3-day high fat dietary intake with the accumulative effect on energy and nutrient intake of each recommendation assessed.Results: Six to nine-year-olds in the NNS95 consuming 35–45% energy as fat (n= 280) consumed more total energy (mean± SD, 8671± 2741 vs. 7571± 2328 kJ/day) than children consuming a‘low fat’ (23–27% energy as fat,n= 85) diet (P<0.002). Food-based recommendations found to be most effective for reducing energy and fat intake included; changing to reduced fat milk, reducing intake of cereal-based and snack foods and replacing juice or soft drink with water. These changes, together with avoiding adding fat to vegetables and using sources of lean meat, reduced energy intake by∼10%, total fat intake by∼30% and saturated fat intake by 53%.Conclusions: Modifying six areas of food choices results in a moderate reduction in fat and energy intake. An eating pattern that is consistent with Australian dietary guidelines and uses foods commonly eaten by children is achievable for children aged 6–9 years. These food-based recommendations provide an evidence-based dietary framework for prevention and management of overweight in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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.