1. Reference:
P-510
Title:
THE IMPACT OF BREAKFAST CEREAL ON NUTRIENT INTAKE OF UK CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS
Authors:
Catherine Hooper, Toine Hulshof
Workcenter:
Kellogg Company
BACKGROUND
Despite the fact that energy intake in Western Countries is higher versus the needs, micronutrient deficiencies within children and adolescents are still common. This is commonly found across various European countries, including the UK2. Can fortified foods, and more specifically breakfast cereal, contribute significantly to better micro-nutrient intake in children and adolescents in the UK.
METHODS
Analysis of the latest UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS )1 was carried out, assessing nutrient intake and nutritional status of the UK population aged 4 – 18.
RESULTS
Figure 1 shows the range of contribution of breakfast cereals on the intake of different micronutrients in different age groups. The spread of results show that ready-to-eat-cereal (RTEC) makes a significant daily contribution towards the vitamin intake for children and adolescents in the UK. This ranges from 8%-19% of their total daily intake, depending on micronutrient, sex and age group.
Figure 2 shows that UK children consuming RTEC have significant higher iron intakes versus those eating another breakfast or no breakfast at all. For UK girls, there is a 26-28% higher iron intake in RTEC consumers, which is an important amount for that age and sex group. Boys have an average higher intake of 25%.
Figure 3 shows that the sugar contribution from a portion of RTEC with milk contributes to about 3% of a child's total daily % energy intake. RTEC alone provides about %.
CONCLUSIONS
RTEC makes a significant contribution to the micro-nutrient intake of children and adolescents in the UK.
Iron intakes in under 18s in the UK is about a quarter higher in those consuming breakfast cereals.
A bowl of RTEC with milk contributes on average to 3% of the total daily energy intake of sugar for a child or adolescents in the UK.
Fortification plays a significant role in UK public health and is a relevant aspect for many food companies.
REFERENCES 1 - NatCen Social Research, MRC Human Nutrition Research and University College London. Medical School, National Diet and Nutrition Survey Years 1-4, 2008/ /12 [computer file]. 7th Edition. Colchester, Essex: UK Data Archive [distributor], February SN: 6533,
2 - Mensink et al. BJN - Low intakes of micronutrients in Europe