EFFECTS OF DIFFERENCES IN DIETARY-FAT ON GROWTH, ENERGY AND NUTRIENT INTAKE FROM INFANCY TO 8 YEARS OF AGE

We report the results of food energy and nutrient intake, and somatic growth measured at intervals throughout infancy to 8 years of age in children from the Adelaide nutrition study cohort. At each age the sample was divided into three groups according to the percentage energy as fat: < 30%, 30-34.9% and > 34.9%. There were no clinically significant differences in height, weight or skinfold thickness according to the proportions of fat in the diet, although the high fat intake group had a higher food energy intake at 2, 4 and 8 years of age. The low fat group had a greater proportion of energy as sugar at 4, 6 and 8 years of age, and as starch at 4 and 6 years. At some ages there were differences in calcium, iron, thiamine and vitamin C intakes. There were minor differences in nutrient intake in children at 8 and 15 years of age according to their fat intake at 1 and 2 years. Boys in the lower fat intake group at 2 years of age were slightly shorter and lighter at 15 years of age than those who had been in higher fat intake groups. We conclude that the contemporary shift to a lower fat diet in early childhood is unlikely to have deleterious effects on growth and nutrient intake if eaten in the context of a family eating pattern, which meets current guidelines.