Demetra (Jan 2023)

Breakfast nutrient profile and food sources among children with feeding difficulties

  • Priscila Maximino,
  • Luana Romão Nogueira,
  • Ana Carolina Leme,
  • Raquel Ricci,
  • Nathália Gioia,
  • Camila Fussi,
  • Mauro Fisberg

DOI
https://doi.org/10.12957/demetra.2022.65591
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 17, no. 0
pp. e65591 – e65591

Abstract

Read online

Objective: To assess breakfast consumption, nutrient profile and food sources of children with feeding difficulties. Methods: Cross-sectional study with 137 infants, preschoolers, and school age children from a reference center for feeding difficulties in São Paulo, Brazil. Socio-demographic characteristics were excluded from clinical anamnesis. Breakfast is defined as the first meal of the day that breaks the fast after the longest period of sleep and is consumed between 5-10am. Children that do not fit on this definition were considered breakfast skippers. Parents self-reported their children’s food intake. Breakfast nutrient profile and food sources were identified. Descriptive statistics, Kruskal-Wallis and t-Student tests were used considering a significance of 5% (p <0.05). Results: Most children had breakfast (80.3%) and had a median energy intake of 54.67kcal/day. Children with fear of feeding had lower energy, carbohydrate, protein, and other nutrients intake as compared to picky/fussy eaters and children with limited appetite. Picky/fussy eaters had lower intake for vitamin E, calcium, dietary fiber, potassium, riboflavin, and vitamin K, and total sugars. Baby-food formulas and cereals, milk, and breads were among the top energy food sources consumed, regardless of age group, sex, and type of feeding difficulties. Conclusions: Breakfast consumption in children with feeding difficulties is not satisfactory and underlies the need for actions to improve regular and well-balanced meals.

Keywords