EFFECT OF DIFFERENT STARCH AND DIETARY FI BER LEVELS ON FOOD AN ENERGY-INTAKE OF ONE MEAL AND SUBSEQUENT MEAL IN PRESCHOOL-CHILDREN

The aim of this study was to examine in preschool children the effects of different levels of starch and dietary fiber of a meal time on the inmediate food and energy intake (in the same meal time) and in the f ollowing meal (subsequent intake). The study was performed in 50 child ren both genders, with ages ranging from 24 to 48 months, with normal nutritional status (weight/height index) according to the NCHS standar ds. The food intake was determined by differential weighing and energy intake was calculated from proximal analysis. In the lunch, several m eals were offered differing in their starch and dietary fiber but with similar energy density (1 kcal/g). The results of the immediate consu mption demonstrated that the two dietary treatments were significantly and the effect was a lower consumption of food and energy, while the starch an dietary fiber levels increased. It was observed and interact ion between both variables. The subsequent food and energy intake show ed the same tendence that was observed in the immediate consumption bu t there was not an interaction between both variables. The lowest valu e of intake was showed by the children who consumed the meal with the highest level of starch and dietary fiber. When results of both meal t imes were combined, the same effects were demonstrated. The findings d escribed have been not reported by others authors. A probable explanat ion for these results are the lower gastric emptyng caused by high lev els of starch and dietary fiber and in the specific case of starch by its glycemic index. The findings of the present work can be applied to stablish rationale dietary recommendations for normal preschoool feed ing and for those at risk of under and overnutrition.