ENERGY-EXPENDITURE IN CHILDREN AGED 1.5 TO 4.5 YEARS - A COMPARISON WITH CURRENT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ENERGY-INTAKE

Objective: To compare measurements of total energy expenditure in chil dren aged 1.5-4.5 years with current recommendations for energy intake . Design: Total energy expenditure was measured using the doubly label led water technique and compared with 1991 UK recommendations for ener gy intake. Setting: Community-based study in East Anglia and South Eas t England. Subjects: Ninety-three children aged 1.5-4.5 years recruite d, Results available on 81 children. Results: Mean values for total en ergy expenditure for the boys were 359, 341 and 327 kJ/kg in the age g roups 1.5-2.5, 2.5-3.5 and 3.5-4.5 years respectively. In the girls, m ean values for total energy expenditure were 347, 317 and 310 kJ/kg in the age groups 1.5-2.5, 2.5-3.5 and 3.5-3.5 respectively. These value s were approximately 12% and 10% below current recommendations for ene rgy intake in girls and boys respectively. Conclusion: These data add to the growing literature that indicate that energy expenditure in you ng children is significantly below previous estimates. Secular changes in habitual levels of physical activity might be responsible for redu ced levels of physical activity.