Current Guidelines on Fat Intake in Pregnant and Lactating Women, Infants, Children, and Adolescents: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Introduction: Dietary fat intake in pregnancy, lactation and childhood determines child growth, neurodevelopment and long-term health. Methods: We performed a scoping review of dietary guidelines on fat intake for pregnant and lactating women, infants, children and adolescents. We systematically searched several databases and websites for relevant documents published in English from 2015-2019. Results: We included 14 documents. Of those eight targeted pregnant and/or lactating women, mainly recommending daily intake of approx.250 mg/d of eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), while one advised supplementing 800 mg/d DHA and 100 mg/d EPA in women of low omega-3 fatty acids status. The number of guidelines for infants was low (n=3). Recommended intakes of total fat were 30-40% and 20-35% of total energy intake (TEI) for infants and children, respectively. Intakes of saturated fatty acids (SFA) <10% of TEI and avoidance of trans-fatty acids (TFA) were recommended across childhood. The methodology applied to develop guidelines and to grade the strength of recommendations was heterogeneous. Conclusion: Quantitative recommendations on fat intake during pregnancy focused mainly on PUFA intake, and those targeting infants were limited. Consistent recommendations were provided for total fat, SFA and TFA intake in childhood, however strength of recommendation was mostly not reported.