Dietary Intake by Dutch 1- to 3-Year-Old Children at Childcare and at Home

Abstract

The goal of the current study was to assess dietary intake in a large sample (N = 1016) of Dutch toddlers (1–3 years old), both at childcare and at home. Dietary intake during two weekdays was recorded using an observation format applied by childcare staff for intake at childcare, and partially pre-coded dietary journals filled out by parents for intake at home. Children’s intake of energy, macronutrients and energy balance-related food groups (fruit, vegetables, sweet snacks, savoury snacks) were compared with Dutch dietary guidelines. In addition, differences between the dietary intake by various subgroups (based on gender, age, childcare attendance, socio-economic status of childcare centre) were explored using multilevel regression analyses, adjusting for nesting of children within centres. Energy intake was high relative to dietary guidelines, and children consumed more or less equal amounts of energy at home and at childcare. Dietary fibre, fruit and vegetable and snack intakes were low. Intake at childcare mainly consisted of carbohydrates, while intake at home contained more proteins and fat. The findings imply various opportunities for childcare centres to improve children’s dietary intake, such as providing fruit and vegetables at snacking moments. In addition, the findings underline the importance of assessing dietary intake over a whole day, both at childcare and at home, to allow intake to be compared with dietary guidelines.

The role of mother’s education in the nutritional status of children in Serbia

“…The Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia has reported that Belgrade is the region with the highest percentage of day-care centre attendance and also the highest percentage of children who spend more than 9 h/d there, in comparison to other Serbian regions (42) . Although daycare centre attendance could serve as a protective factor against malnutrition (43,44) , a study conducted among Dutch toddlers (1-3 years old), both at childcare and at home, showed that children consumed more or less equal amounts of energy at home and childcare (45) . In Belgrade, we have quite the opposite situation.…”

The family child care home environment and children's diet quality

“…Little is known about the potential mechanisms linking child care with obesity, if such a relationship exists. The nutrition environment at child care may be an important mechanism to explore given recent studies in the US, the UK, and the Netherlands that highlight the nutritional inadequacy of foods and beverages commonly served to children in child care; specifically, meals and snacks lack sufficient fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and include excessive fats and sugars (Copeland, Benjamin Neelon, Howald, & Wosje, 2013; Frampton et al, 2014; Gubbels et al, 2014, 2015; Maalouf, Evers, Griffin, & Lyn, 2013; Neelon et al, 2015; Parker, LloydWilliams, Weston, Macklin, & McFadden, 2011). …”

Providers’ response to child eating behaviors: A direct observation study

“…Over 60% of children under the age of 5 regularly spend time under someone else’s care (Flynn et al, 2006; Johnson, 2005; Nicklas et al, 2001; Story, Kaphingst, & French, 2006). For children in full-time child care, approximately 50% of their daily dietary intake comes from meals and snacks eaten in this setting (Bollella et al, 1999; Gubbels, Raaijmakers, Gerards, & Kremers, 2014; Padget & Briley, 2005). …”