Fat and energy needs of children in developing countries

The fat requirements of children can be judged according to 4 criteria: 1) the possible obligate needs of fat as a metabolic fuel, 2) the provision of a sufficiently energy-dense diet to meet energy needs, 3) the adequate sup ply of essential fatty acids, and 4) the supply of sufficient fat to allow adequate absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. In these respects the fat requ irements of children in developing countries are probably similar to those of children in affluent nations except for the additional needs imposed by environmental stresses, particularly recurrent infections. In many developi ng countries, the low energy density of weaning foods appears to be a major contributor to growth faltering and ultimate malnutrition. Evidence from d oubly labeled water studies suggests that these diets are adequate when chi ldren are healthy but fail to support rapid catch-up growth after diarrhea and other infections. The issues in determining and meeting the fat needs o f children in developing countries are illustrated with use of detailed com parative dietary data from a rural community in The Gambia and from Cambrid ge, United Kingdom. The outstanding feature of the Gambian data is the grea t importance of breast milk as a source of fat and essential fatty acids up until the end of the second year of life. Weaning foods and adult foods co ntain low amounts of fat, which causes a sharp transition from adequate fat intakes to probable inadequate fat intakes when children are weaned from t he breast. The effects of such low fat intakes, particularly in terms of im mune function, require investigation.