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Dietary Intake of Omega‐3 Long‐chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (n‐3 LCPUFA) by US Toddlers
Author(s) -
Walsh Kelly Robert,
Ye Qian,
Piekarz Ana
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.26.1_supplement.811.6
Subject(s) - docosapentaenoic acid , docosahexaenoic acid , eicosapentaenoic acid , medicine , polyunsaturated fatty acid , food group , environmental health , food science , fatty acid , biology , biochemistry
Background n‐3 LCPUFA, in particular docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), have critical roles in the nervous, visual and immune systems. While studies have addressed DHA intake and functional outcomes in infants, data on dietary intakes of US toddlers are scarce. The NHANES 1999–2000 study showed an average consumption of 20 mg of DHA per day which is less than recommended by international expert groups. Objective To evaluate the average daily consumption of DHA, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) from food and beverages among healthy US toddlers between 12 and 47 month of age based upon the NHANES 2007–2008. Methods Dietary intakes of 741 healthy toddlers from NHANES 2007–2008, a nationally representative survey, were analyzed. Intakes from dietary supplements were excluded from the analysis. Mean usual intakes of DHA, DPA and EPA from food and beverages were calculated using NHANES suggested methodology to ensure a representative sample. Results Mean (± SE) consumption of DHA, DPA and EPA among US toddlers is 19 (± 1.9) mg/day, 4.5 (± 0.3) mg/day, and 8 (± 0.9) mg/day, respectively. Conclusion Dietary intake of n‐3 LCPUFA by US toddlers remains below target recommendations established by international expert groups such as the FAO (2010). Dietary strategies for closing the gap between current intakes and recommended targets are needed.