Influence of dietary fat on the nutrient intake and growth of children from 1 to 5 y of age: the special Turku coronary risk factor intervention project

Background: Excessive decreases in fat intake in young children have been l inked with low intakes of energy and nutrients and possible growth failure. Objective: We evaluated nutrient intakes and growth of healthy children wit h different fat intakes during the first 5 y of life. Design: In the Special Turku Coronary Risk Factor Intervention Project (STR IP), 7-mo-old children were randomly assigned to an intervention aimed at r educed consumption of saturated fat and cholesterol (n = 540) or to a contr ol group (n = 522). This analysis comprises data for children for whom grea ter than or equal to 6 of 8 possible 3-4-d food records were available (n = 730; 353 females). Children were divided according to fat intake pattern ( percentage of energy) between the ages of 13 mo and 5 y into groups with co ntinuously high fat intake (5% of children), increasing fat intake (5%), co ntinuously low fat intake (5%), decreasing fat intake (5%), and average fat intake (80%). Children's energy and nutrient intakes and growth were then compared by analysis of variance. Results: Fat intake st 13 mo of age was particularly low (21% of energy) in the increasing fat intake group and in the continuously low fat intake gro up (22% of energy at 13 mo: 26% of energy at 5 y). Growth of children in al l 5 fat intake groups, however, was not significantly different throughout the study period. Intakes of vitamins and minerals, except of vitamin D, me t recommended dietary allowances in all fat intake groups. Conclusion: Nutrient intakes and growth were not significantly different in children whose fat intake patterns differed between 13 mo and 5 y of age.