Zhou, S.Gibson, R.Gibson, R.Makrides, M.2013-04-082013-04-082012Medical Journal of Australia, 2012; 196(11):696-7000025-729X1326-5377http://hdl.handle.net/2440/76563OBJECTIVE: To determine the nutrient intakes and status of preschool children from a representative population sample in Adelaide. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Cross-sectional survey of children aged 1–5 years, using a stratified random sampling method and a doorknocking strategy, between September 2005 and July 2007. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Dietary intake, assessed using a 3-day weighed-food diary; anthropometrics, biomarkers of iron, zinc and vitamin B12, and fatty acid profiles assessed using standard methods. RESULTS: Median energy intakes were within dietary recommendations for the age group. Overall energy contributions from carbohydrate, protein, fat and saturated fat intakes were 50%, 17%, 33% and 16%, respectively. The rates of inadequate intake of iron, zinc, calcium and vitamin C were low, as was the prevalence of iron deficiency (5%). Only a minority of children achieved the adequate intake for n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (32%) and dietary fibre (18%). There was no association between socioeconomic status and intakes of macronutrients and key micronutrients. Fourteen per cent of children were obese (BMI, > 95th percentile); no association between BMI and energy intake was shown. CONCLUSIONS: The dietary intake of children in the study was adequate for macronutrients and the majority of micronutrients. However, low intakes of fibre and n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and high saturated fat intakes have raised concerns that this dietary pattern may be associated with adverse long-term health effects.enCopyright status unknownHumansFatty Acids, UnsaturatedNutrition SurveysLinear ModelsCross-Sectional StudiesFeeding BehaviorEnergy IntakeNutritional StatusDietary FiberChild, PreschoolInfantHealth PromotionSouth AustraliaFemaleMaleDiet, High-FatJournal article002012046710.5694/mja11.110800003057686000202-s2.0-848753183092-s2.0-8486544068923983Zhou, S. [0000-0003-4012-983X]Gibson, R. [0000-0002-8750-525X]Makrides, M. [0000-0003-3832-541X]