Dietary intake and growth of preschoolers (3–5 years old) living in southwestern Ontario

Data on dietary intakes and growth of Canadian preschoolers are limited and dated. Parents/guardians of a convenience sample of 254 children included in the validation of NutriSTEP™ completed three day estimated food records. Nutrient analysis was by CANDAT (Godin, London, ON); all data were adjusted for intra‐individual variation (National Research Council method) prior to comparison to Dietary Reference Intakes. Weight and height were measured and Body Mass Index (BMI) calculated. Mean energy intakes were above the Estimated Energy Requirement (EER) as shown. Energy intakes relative to the EERNone of the preschoolers had intakes less than the Estimated Average Requirement. Only intakes of fibre, potassium and vitamin K were below the Adequate Intake. For 3 year olds, intakes of manganese and zinc were above the Tolerable Upper Limit for 59% and 25%, respectively. Eight percent of preschoolers were at risk of overweight (BMI >85 th –<95 th percentile); 12% were overweight (BMI >95 th percentile); and, 4% were underweight (BMI <5 th percentile). Mean energy intakes in excess of the EER may have contributed to the high prevalence of risk of/overweight. Supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research