It is well established that nutrition in infancy and childhood is fundamental for future health status. The objective of the study was to estimate mineral intakes and the contribution of different food groups to mineral intakes in Irish pre-school children and was based on the Nation Pre-school Nutrition Survey (2010–2011), which was carried out to establish a database of habitual food and drink consumption in a representative sample of Irish pre-school children aged 1–4 years. A 4 day weighed food record was used to collect food intake data from 500 pre-school children. Analysis of dietary intake data was carried out using WISP© (Tinuviel Software, Anglesey, UK), which is based on McCance and Widdowson's The Composition of Foods, Sixth Edition ( 1 ). and the Irish Food Composition Database( Reference Black, Ireland, Moller, Roe, Walton and Flynn 2 ). For selected minerals, the mean daily intake and the percentage of individuals with intakes less than the UK estimated average requirement (EAR)( 3 ) are reported. Under-reporters were excluded from the analysis. Minimum energy intake cut-off points( Reference Torun, Davies, Livingstone, Paolisso, Sackett and Spurr 4 ) (Torun et al. Reference Torun, Davies, Livingstone, Paolisso, Sackett and Spurr1996), calculated as multiples of BMR( Reference Schofield 5 ) (Schofield et al. Reference Schofield1985) were used to identify under-reporters.
The key sources of selected minerals are shown in the table below.
Intakes of selected minerals in 1–4 year old Irish children are generally adequate with the exception of iron and zinc. Iron intakes were below the EAR for almost a quarter of 1 year olds. Zinc intakes were also seen to be below the EAR particularly in 4 year olds. “Milk & Yoghurt”, “Breakfast Cereals”, “Meat & Meat Products”, “Fruit & Fruit Juices” and “Bread & Rolls” are the main contributors to mineral intakes in Irish pre-school children.
The project was funded by the Irish Government under the Food for Health Research Initiative 2007–2012.
