The diet in the early years is critical to provide the nutrients needed to support optimal growth and development in young children(Reference Langley-Evans1). The National Preschool Nutrition survey reported inadequate intakes of iron and vitamin D among Irish pre-school children. 23 % of 1 year olds and 10 % of 2 and 3 year olds had inadequate intakes of iron. Furthermore, 70–84 % of 1–4 year olds had an intake of vitamin D less than 5μg/d(2)
The aim of this study was to identify dietary risk factors in a sample of pre-school children aged 12–36 months. This was assessed using a validated dietary risk screening tool (NutriCHEQ)(Reference Rice, Gibbons, McNulty, Walton, Flynn and Gibney3). The NutriCHEQ screening tool is in the form of a 19 item questionnaire.
Parents/guardians completed an online version of the questionnaire. Dietary risk was rated on a scale ranging from 0–22 from 11 questions. On the basis of their risk score, the individuals were allocated into high, moderate or low risk (Reference Rice, Gibbons, McNulty, Walton, Flynn and Gibney3) and provided with tailored educational booklets where necessary.
The mean age of the sample was 22 months. This study found that 71 % were moderately at risk of having low intakes of iron, vitamin D and zinc. 37 % had a moderate/high risk of having dietary imbalances (e.g. adequate dairy, fruit, and vegetables intakes).
Ɨ Risk of low iron stores, low intake of vitamin D, zinc & dietary imbalances
Although a large proportion of parents/guardians considered their child's diet as healthy (97 %), over half the pre-school children in this sample were moderately at risk (60 %) of having low intakes of iron, vitamin D, zinc and dietary imbalances. This study shows that an online version of the NutriCHEQ screening tool can be useful for healthcare professionals to identify dietary risk factors in pre-school children.
