Macronutrient Intake of 3- to 36-Month-Old German Infants and Children: Results of the DONALD Study

Abstract

The intake of macronutrients (protein, fat, fatty acids, carbohydrates, added sugars, fiber) was assessed in 354 healthy German infants and children aged 3-36 months from 3-day weighed diet records. The intake of protein ranged between 7 and 14% of energy intake. Fat intake decreased from 3 months (breast-fed boys and girls, 48%; formula-fed boys/girls, 41/44%) to 12 months (boys/girls, 33/36%) due to the increasing consumption of commercial weaning foods, and then increased again up to 36 months (boys/girls, 40/43%). Intake of added sugars decreased during the first 12 months and then increased again, but only slightly exceeded the limit of 10%. Intake of dietary fiber was highest at the age of 1 year (boys/girls, 2.7/2.3 g/MJ). The macronutrient intake was in accordance with other German and European surveys, but deviated considerably from the respective recommendations.