Dynamics of the components of energy intake between Spanish and Mexican preschool children: energy density and food volume in two contexts.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the differences in the dynamics of dietary energy density (ED), food volume (FV) and energy intake (EI) between two groups of healthy children, in normal conditions, from Spain and Mexico. METHODS: Crossectional study which analyses the habitual diet of two healthy children groups, 1-4 years old, from Reus (Spain, n = 203) and Guadalajara (Mexico, n = 147). Dietary intake was assessed using the 24-hour recall. Anthropometric data were also obtained. We estimated Z-score of weight, height and BMI, and EI (kcal/day), ED (kcal/g), FV (g/day), El/kg body weight (kcal/kg/day) and FV/kg body weight (g/kg/day). RESULTS: The Spanish children consumed significantly more cereals (p < 0.05), vegetables, meat, fish and eggs than the Mexican children (p < 0.001), while the latter consumed significantly more sweets (p < 0.001). The mean El/kg body weight was 107.7 ± 36.2 kcal/kg/day in the children from Reus, and 102.4 ± 38.8 kcal/kg/day in the children from Guadalajara, without significant differences. While the ED was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in the Spanish sample (1.41 ± 0.35 kcal/g) that in the Mexican one (1.19 ± 0.37 kcal/g), we observed the contrary on FV per kilogram of weight: it was significantly (p < 0.001) greater in Mexicans (91.0 ± 36.1 g/kg/day) than in Spanish (79.5 ± 27.5 g/kg/day). CONCLUSION: In two populations with different contexts, the balance between energy intake and energy requirements is achieved in different ways, allowing energy intake per unit of weight and growth to be adequate. Future studies are needed to clarify the factors of a possible alteration of this equilibrium through time, in such a way, that it would probably contribute to the development of overweight and obesity in several environments.

Dynamics of the components of energy intake between Spanish and Mexican preschool children: energy density and food volume in two contexts / Dinámica de los componentes de la ingesta energética entre niños preescolares de España y México: densidad energética y volumen alimentario en dos contextos

Objective: To determine the differences in the dynamics of dietary energy density (ED), food volume (FV) and energy intake (EI) between two groups of healthy children, in normal conditions, from Spain and Mexico. Methods: Crossectional study which analyses the habitual diet of two healthy children groups, 1-4 years old, from Reus (Spain, n = 203) and Guadalajara (Mexico, n = 147).Dietary intake was assessed using the 24-hour recall. Anthropometric data were also obtained. We estimated Z-score of weight, height and BMI, and EI (kcal/day), ED(kcal/g), FV (g/day), EI/kg body weight (kcal/kg/day) and FV/kg body weight (g/kg/day). Results: The Spanish children consumed significantly more cereals (p < 0.05), vegetables, meat, fish and eggs than the Mexican children (p < 0.001), while the latter consumed significantly more sweets (p < 0.001). The mean EI/kg bodyweight was 107.7 ± 36.2 kcal/kg/day in the children from Reus, and 102.4 ± 38.8 kcal/kg/day in the children from Guadalajara, without significant differences. While the ED was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in the Spanish sample(1.41 ± 0.35 kcal/g) that in the Mexican one (1.19 ± 0.37kcal/g), we observed the contrary on FV per kilogram of weight: it was significantly (p < 0.001) greater in Mexicans(91.0 ± 36.1 g/kg/day) than in Spanish (79.5 ± 27.5 g/kg/day).Conclusion: In two populations with different contexts, the balance between energy intake and energy requirements is achieved in different ways, allowing energy in take per unit of weight and growth to be adequate. Future studies are needed to clarify the factors of a possible alteration of this equilibrium through time, in such away, that it would probably contribute to the development of overweight and obesity in several environments (AU)

Objetivo: Determinar las diferencias en la dinámica de la densidad energética (DE), volumen de alimentos (FV) e ingesta energética (IE), entre dos grupos de niños sanos, en condiciones de vida habitual, de España y México. Metodología: Estudio transversal que analiza la dieta habitual de niños sanos, entre 1-4 años, originarios de Reus (España, n = 203) y Guadalajara (México, n =147). La ingesta dietética fue evaluada con el recordatorio de 24 horas. Se valoraron algunos parámetros antropométricos. Se calculó puntuación-Z para el peso, talla e IMC, y la IE (kcal/día), DE (kcal/g), FV (g/día),IE/kg de peso corporal (kcal/kg/día) y FV/kg de peso corporal (g/kg/día).Resultados: Los niños españoles presentaron una mayor ingesta de cereales (p < 0,05), verduras, carne, pescado y huevo, que los mexicanos (p < 0,001), mientras que estos últimos tuvieron una mayor ingesta de azúcares (p <0,001). La media de IE/kg de peso fue de 107,7 ± 36,2kcal/kg/día en niños de Reus, y 102,4 ± 38,8 kcal/kg/día en niños de Guadalajara, sin diferencias significativas. Mientras la DE fue significativamente mayor (p < 0,001)en los españoles (1,41 ± 0,35 kcal/g) que en los mexicanos(1,19 ± 0,37 kcal/g), observamos lo contrario en FV/kg de peso: este fue significativamente mayor (p < 0,001) en los niños mexicanos (91,0 ± 36,1 g/kg/día) que en los españoles(79,5 ± 27,5 g/kg/día).Conclusión: En dos poblaciones con contextos diferentes, el equilibrio de la IE se logra por diferentes vías, permitiendo un aporte energético por unidad de peso y crecimiento adecuados. Se precisan futuros estudios que aclaren los factores mediante los cuales este equilibrio se altera a través del tiempo, y que quizá, contribuye al desarrollo de sobrepeso u obesidad, en diversos entornos (AU)