Theoretical Impact of Replacing Whole Cow's Milk by Young-Child Formula on Nutrient Intakes of UK Young Children: Results of a Simulation Study

Abstract

Background: Research into the role of young-child formulae (YCF) in a child's diet is limited and there is no consensual recommendation on its use. We evaluated the theoretical nutritional impact of replacing the existing practice of consuming cow's milk by YCF. Methods: From the UK Diet and Nutrition Survey of Infants and Young Children, whole cow's milk consumers, aged 12-18 months (n = 591) were selected for simulation scenarios. In Scenario 1, we tested the replacement of all whole cow's milk (434 ± 187 ml/day) by a matching volume of YCF, and in Scenario 2, all whole cow's milk was replaced by the on-pack recommended daily intake of 300 ml. Nutrient intakes before and after simulation scenarios were compared and evaluated against nutrient recommendations. Results: Intakes of protein and saturated fatty acids were significantly decreased, whereas essential fatty acid intakes were increased. The prevalence of nutrient inadequacy before simulation was 95.2% for vitamin D and 53.8% for iron. After simulation, inadequacy decreased to 4.9% (Scenario 1) and 0% (Scenario 2) for vitamin D and to 2.7% (Scenario 1) and 1.1% (Scenario 2) for iron. Conclusions: Replacement of habitual cow's milk intake by a matching volume or 300 ml of YCF may lead to nutritional intakes more in line with recommendations in young children.

Dietary strategies for achieving adequate vitamin D and iron intakes in young children in Ireland

“…Both of these strategies would increase mean intakes of vitamin D to >10 lg day À1 at all ages at the same time reducing the prevalence of inadequate intakes to <25% for 1-and 2-year-old children and <40% for 3-and 4-year-old children. Our findings are in agreement with other studies in young children across the world that have shown that fortifying CM, providing vitamin D supplements or replacing CM with GUM would be effective strategies for increasing vitamin D intakes and status and improving the prevalence of inadequate intakes (16,17,(22)(23)(24)38,50) . Similar dietary modelling approaches using data from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey in the UK have shown that fortifying CM (50) and replacing CM with young child formula (38) would be effective strategies for increasing intakes and improve status of vitamin D at a population level.…”

“…Our findings are in agreement with other studies in young children across the world that have shown that fortifying CM, providing vitamin D supplements or replacing CM with GUM would be effective strategies for increasing vitamin D intakes and status and improving the prevalence of inadequate intakes (16,17,(22)(23)(24)38,50) . Similar dietary modelling approaches using data from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey in the UK have shown that fortifying CM (50) and replacing CM with young child formula (38) would be effective strategies for increasing intakes and improve status of vitamin D at a population level. The recent Kimi trial in Germany also found that the daily consumption of vitamin D fortified GUM in children aged 2-6 years prevented the decrease in serum 25(OH)D concentrations typically noted in the winter and could be an effective measure for improving vitamin D status in a young population (16) .…”

Role of Young Child Formulae and Supplements to Ensure Nutritional Adequacy in U.K. Young Children

“…In Greece, 95% of children with iron deficiency anemia were found to drink cow’s milk, whereas 91% of children without iron deficiency anemia consumed fortified milks [ 37 ]. A recent simulation study showed that replacing habitual cow’s milk intake by YCF leads to nutritional intakes more in line with the recommendations in the U.K. in 12–18-month-old children [ 38 ].…”

Consensus of the Brazilian Association of Nutrology on Milky Feeding of Children Aged 1–5 Years Old

“…In the United Kingdom, a group of > 500 children aged between 12 and 18 months old were compared by Eussen et al 74 regarding the adequacy of vitamin D, iron and lipid intake. Children who received YCF had lower consumption of saturated fats and higher intake of LC-PUFAs, vitamin D and iron, which was interpreted by the authors as a better nutritional adequacy.…”