S S Leung1, S M Chan, S Lui, W T Lee, D P Davies. 1. Department of Paediatrics, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin. sophie-leung@cuhk.edu.hk
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To study the early dietary practices in relation to growth of Hong Kong children from birth to 7 years. METHODOLOGY: One hundred and seventy-three full-term Hong Kong Chinese babies were recruited at birth and were followed up for anthropometric measurements using standardized methods and dietary assessment using a combination of dietary history, 24 h recall and food frequency. At 7 years, 125 children remained in the study. RESULTS: Mean (SD) birthweight was 3.3 (0.38) kg for boys and 3.1 (0.38) kg for girls. Mean (SD) weight at 7 years was 22.4 (4.2) kg for boys and 21.1 (3.7) kg for girls, and mean (SD) height was 120.3 (4.8) cm for boys and 119.8 (5.1) cm for girls. Hong Kong children were lighter and shorter than Australian children and the National Centre for Health Statistics (NCHS) references, but the magnitude is less than one standard deviation score. Mean weight and height of Hong Kong children were lower compared to Caucasian and Beijing children, with more obvious differences between 1 and 5 years. At 1 year, mean (SD) daily energy intake was 98 (24) kcal/kg/day for boys and 100 (26) kcal/kg/day for girls. By 7 years, it decreased to 82 (18) kcal/kg/day for boys and 73 (22) kcal/kg/day for girls. Between 2 to 4 years of age the energy intake of studied children were slightly lower than the Australian and Finnish children, but the protein intake was higher. Percentage of fat contributing to total daily energy intake was lower throughout at a level of 30%. Such differences in diet reflect a lower consumption of milk fat, higher consumption of meat and lower level of physical activity in Hong Kong children. Intakes of calcium, iron and vitamin C all reached 60% or above of US recommended daily allowance. CONCLUSIONS: The smaller body build of Chinese compared to Caucasians cannot be explained by dietary differences. The diet of Hong Kong children is changing to one which is more Westernized with a higher consumption of animal products.
OBJECTIVE: To study the early dietary practices in relation to growth of Hong Kong children from birth to 7 years. METHODOLOGY: One hundred and seventy-three full-term Hong Kong Chinese babies were recruited at birth and were followed up for anthropometric measurements using standardized methods and dietary assessment using a combination of dietary history, 24 h recall and food frequency. At 7 years, 125 children remained in the study. RESULTS: Mean (SD) birthweight was 3.3 (0.38) kg for boys and 3.1 (0.38) kg for girls. Mean (SD) weight at 7 years was 22.4 (4.2) kg for boys and 21.1 (3.7) kg for girls, and mean (SD) height was 120.3 (4.8) cm for boys and 119.8 (5.1) cm for girls. Hong Kong children were lighter and shorter than Australian children and the National Centre for Health Statistics (NCHS) references, but the magnitude is less than one standard deviation score. Mean weight and height of Hong Kong children were lower compared to Caucasian and Beijing children, with more obvious differences between 1 and 5 years. At 1 year, mean (SD) daily energy intake was 98 (24) kcal/kg/day for boys and 100 (26) kcal/kg/day for girls. By 7 years, it decreased to 82 (18) kcal/kg/day for boys and 73 (22) kcal/kg/day for girls. Between 2 to 4 years of age the energy intake of studied children were slightly lower than the Australian and Finnish children, but the protein intake was higher. Percentage of fat contributing to total daily energy intake was lower throughout at a level of 30%. Such differences in diet reflect a lower consumption of milk fat, higher consumption of meat and lower level of physical activity in Hong Kong children. Intakes of calcium, iron and vitamin C all reached 60% or above of US recommended daily allowance. CONCLUSIONS: The smaller body build of Chinese compared to Caucasians cannot be explained by dietary differences. The diet of Hong Kong children is changing to one which is more Westernized with a higher consumption of animal products.
Authors: Zhang Cheng; Kun-Ci Chen; Kai-Bin Li; Xiang-Ping Nie; Sheng Chun Wu; Chris Kong-Chu Wong; Ming-Hung Wong Journal: Environ Sci Pollut Res Int Date: 2012-12-18 Impact factor: 4.223
Authors: Zhang Cheng; Wing Yin Mo; Yu Bon Man; Cheung Lung Lam; Wai Ming Choi; Xiang Ping Nie; Yi Hui Liu; Ming Hung Wong Journal: Environ Sci Pollut Res Int Date: 2014-08-05 Impact factor: 4.223