Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-t5tsf Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-19T14:20:25.024Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Energy and nutrient dietary reference values for children in Europe: methodological approaches and current nutritional recommendations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2007

Ann Prentice ,
Francesco Branca ,
Tamás Decsi ,
Kim Fleischer Michaelsen ,
Reg J. Fletcher ,
Pierre Guesry ,
Friedrich Manz ,
Michel Vidailhet ,
Daphne Pannemans  and
Sonia Samartín
Ann Prentice
Affiliation:
MRC (Medical Research Council), Human Nutrition Research, Elsie Widdowson Laboratory, Fulbourn Road, Cambridge, CB1 9NL, UK
Francesco Branca
Affiliation:
INRAN (Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca degli Alimenti e la Nutrizione), Via Ardeatina 546, I-00178, Rome, Italy
Tamás Decsi
Affiliation:
University of Pecs, Department of Paediatrics, József A.u. 7, H-7623, Pecs, Hungary
Kim Fleischer Michaelsen
Affiliation:
Royal Veterinary & Agricultural University, Research Department of Human Nutrition, Rolighedsvej 30, DK-1958, Frederiksberg, C, Denmark
Reg J. Fletcher
Affiliation:
Kellogg's Company of Great Britain Ltd, The Kellogg Building, Talbot Road, Manchester, M16 0PU, UK
Pierre Guesry
Affiliation:
Nestlé Research Centre, PO Box 44, Vers-chez-les-Blanc, CH-1000 Lausanne 26, Switzerland
Friedrich Manz
Affiliation:
Research Institute of Child Nutrition, University Witten/Herdecke, Heinstueck 11, D-44225, Dortmund, Germany
Michel Vidailhet
Affiliation:
Hôpitaux de Brabois, Hôpital d'Enfants, Service de Pédiatrie Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, F-54511, Nancy, France
Daphne Pannemans
Affiliation:
ILSI Europe, Av. E. Mounier 83, Box 6, B-1200, Brussels, Belgium
Sonia Samartín*
Affiliation:
ILSI Europe, Av. E. Mounier 83, Box 6, B-1200, Brussels, Belgium
*
*Corresponding author:ILSI Europe, 83 Avenue E, Mounier, Box 6, B-1200 Brussels, fax +32 2 762 00 44, email publications@ilsieurope.be
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

The Expert Group on the Methodological Approaches and Current Nutritional Recommendations in Children and Adolescents was convened to consider the current situation across Europe with regard to dietary recommendations and reference values for children aged 2–18 years. Information was obtained for twenty-nine of the thirty-nine countries in Europe and a comprehensive compilation was made of the dietary recommendations current up to September 2002. This report presents a review of the concepts of dietary reference values and a comparison of the methodological approaches used in each country. Attention is drawn to the special considerations that are needed for establishing dietary reference values for children and adolescents. Tables are provided of the current dietary reference values for energy and for the macronutrients, vitamins, minerals, trace elements and water. Brief critiques are included to indicate the scientific foundations of the reference values for children and to offer, where possible, an explanation for the wide differences that exist between countries. This compilation demonstrated that there are considerable disparities in the perceived nutritional requirements of European children and adolescents. Although some of this diversity can be attributed to real physiological and environmental differences, most is due to differences in philosophy about the best methodological approach to use and in the way the theoretical approaches are applied. The report highlights the main methodological and technological issues that will need to be resolved before harmonisation can be fully considered. Solving these issues may help to improve the quality and consistency of dietary reference values across Europe. However, there are also considerable scientific and political barriers that will need to be overcome and the question of whether harmonisation of dietary reference values for children and adolescents is a desirable or achievable goal for Europe requires further consideration.

Keywords

Nutritional reference valuesChildrenAdolescentsEurope
Type
Research Article
Information
British Journal of Nutrition , Volume 92 , Issue S2 , October 2004 , pp. S83 - S146
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 2004

References

Aggett, PJ, Bresson, J & Haschke, F, et al. (1997) Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs), Recommended Dietary Intakes (RDIs), Recommended Nutrient Intakes (RNIs) and Population Reference Intakes (PRIs) are not ‘recommended intakes’. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 25, 236–241.Google Scholar
Alexy, U , et al. (2000) The ‘Optimized Mixed Diet’: evaluation of a food guide system for children and adolescents. J Nutr Educ 32, 94–99.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Barker, DJ (1995) Fetal origins of coronary heart disease. Br Med J 311, 171–174.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Battelino, T (1998) Dietary recommendations in Slovenia – nutritional needs of infants, children and adolescents. Slov Pediatr 5 Suppl. 117–23.Google Scholar
Catovic, A, Catovic, S & Kendic, S (2000) Higijena ishrane sa dijetetikom (Nutrition hygiene and dietetics), Fakultet Spurta Sarajevo, SVJETLOST, Fojnica (Bosnia and Herzegovina).Google Scholar
Centre National d'Études et de Recommandations sur la Nutrition et l'Alimentation–Centre National de Recherche Scientifique (2001) Apports Nutritionnels Conseillés pour la Population Française, 3rd ed. Paris: CNERNA-CNRS.Google Scholar
Conseil Supérieur d'Hygiène, Ministère des Affaires Sociales, de la Santé Publique et de l'Environnement (2000) Recommendations Nutritionnelles pour la Belgique – Révision. Brussels: Service Public Fédéral de la Sante' Publique, de la Securité de la Chaine Alimentaire et de l'Enivironnement.Google Scholar
DACH (2000) Referenzwerte für die Nährstoffzufuhr Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ernährung eV (DGE), Österreichische Gesellschaft für Ernährung (ÖGE), Schweizerische Gesellschaft für Ernährungsforchung (SGE), Schweizerische Vereinigung für Ernährung (SVE). English version published 2002.Google Scholar
Department of HealthDepartment of Health (1991) Dietary Reference Values for Food Energy and Nutrients for the United Kingdom, 10th impression (with revised section on fluoride) Report on Health and Social Subjects 41 London: HMSO no.Google Scholar
Department of HealthDepartment of Health (1998) Nutrition and Bone Health: With Particular Reference to Calcium and Vitamin D. Report on Health and Social Subjects no. 49. London: The Stationery Office.Google Scholar
Department of HealthDepartment of Health (1999) Dietary Reference Values for Food Energy and Nutrients for the United Kingdom, 10th impression (with revised section on fluonde). London: The Stationery Office.Google Scholar
Department of HealthDepartment of Health (2000) Folic Acid and the Prevention of Disease. Report on Health and Social Subjects.no. 50. London: The Stationery Office.Google Scholar
Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization/Ministry of Trade and Industry, Finland (1988) Recommended Nutrient Reference Values for Food Labelling Purposes Report of a Joint FAO/WHO Expert Consultation, Helsinki, Finland,12–16 SeptemberGeneva:WHO.Google Scholar
Food Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization/International Atomic Energy Agency (1996) Trace Elements in Human Nutrition and Health.Geneva:WHO.Google Scholar
Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization (1998) Preparation and Use of Food-based Dietary Guidelines. Technical Report Series no. 880 Geneva: WHO.Google Scholar
Food and Nutrition BoardFood and Nutrition Board (1989) Recommended Dietary Allowances 10th ed. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.Google Scholar
Food and Nutrition BoardFood and Nutrition Board (1997) Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Vitamin D and Fluoride. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.Google Scholar
Food and Nutrition BoardFood and Nutrition Board (1998) Dietary Reference Intakes for Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B 6, Folate, Vitamin B 12, Pantothenic Acid, Biotin and Choline. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.Google Scholar
Food and Nutrition BoardFood and Nutrition Board (2000) Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium and Carotenoids. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.Google Scholar
Food and Nutrition BoardFood and Nutrition Board (2001) Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silicon, Vanadium and Zinc. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.Google Scholar
Food and Nutrition BoardFood and Nutrition Board (2002) Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrate, Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein, and Amino Acids (Macronutrients). Washington, DC: National Academy Press.Google Scholar
Food Safety Authority of Ireland (1999) Publication on Recommended Dietary Allowances for Ireland. Dublin: Food Safety Authority of Ireland.Google Scholar
Forsen, T, Eriksson, J, Tuomilehto, J, Osmond, C & Barker, D (2000) The fetal and childhood growth of persons who develop type 2 diabetes. Ann Intern Med 133, 176–182.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Golden, MH (1988) The role of individual nutrient deficiencies in growth retardation of children as exemplified by zinc and protein. In Linear Growth Retardation in Less Developed Countries pp.143–163 [ Waterlow, JC, editor]. New York: Raven Press.Google Scholar
Golden, MH (1994) Is complete catch-up possible for stunted and malnourished children? Eur J Clin Nutr 48, 59S – 71S.Google ScholarPubMed
György, B & Károly, L (1999) Tápanyagtáblázat (Dietary Recommendations in Hungary – Nutrient Tables – Dietetics and Nutrient Composition). Budapest: Medicina Könyvkiadó RT.Google Scholar
Haschke, F & van't, Hof MA (2000) Euro-Growth references for length, weight, and body circumferences. Euro-Growth Study Group. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 31 Suppl. 1S14–S38.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Health Council of The Netherlands (2000) Voedingsnormen – Calcium, Vitamine D, Thiamine, Riboflavine, Niacine, Pantotheenzuur en Biotine. Publication. The Hague: Health Council of The Netherlands no. 2001/12.Google Scholar
Health Council of The Netherlands (2001) Dietary Reference Intakes in The Netherlands: Energy, Proteins, Fats, and Digestible Carbohydrates. Publication no. 2001/19, The Hague: Health Council of The Netherlands.Google Scholar
Institute of Public Health Ministry of Health and Family (1990) Food-Based Recommendations in Children and Adolescents in Romania. Bucharest: Ministry of Health and Family.Google Scholar
Joint Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization/United Nations University Expert Consultation (1985) Energy and Protein Requirements. Technical Report Seriesno. 724 Geneva: WHO.Google Scholar
Joint Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization Expert Consultation (2002) Human Vitamin and Mineral Requirements. Rome: FAO.Google Scholar
Kuivjogi, K, Saava, M, Liebert, T & Teesalv, S (1995) Recommended Dietary Allowances in Estonia Tallinn Department of Food Processing, Tallinn Technical University (14 Dec – Decree 62).Google Scholar
Matkovic, V & Heaney, RP (1992) Calcium balance during human growth: evidence for threshold behavior. Am J Clin Nutr 55, 992–996.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ministry of Health. Dietary Recommendations in Children in Ukraine (source from Ministry of Health, no reference specified).Google Scholar
Ministry of Heath (1994) Regulations Nr 16/16 July 1994 concerning Physiological Norms/requirements for the Nutrition of the Bulgarian Population. State Newspaper 10 Sofia no. 64.Google Scholar
Ministry of Health, Republic of Lithuania, National Nutrition Centre (2000) Recommended Dietary Allowances in Lithuania – Lithuanian Population Vilnius Solidarity.Google Scholar
Ministry of Health Care (1991) Ministry of Health Care Dietary Recommendations for Russian Children, 28 May 1991. Regulation. Moscow: Ministry of Health Care no. 5786-91.Google Scholar
Ministry of National Health and Welfare of Canada (1990) Nutrition Recommendations – The Report of the Scientific Review Committee Ottawa, Ont., Canada: Canadian Government Publishing Centre Supply and Services.Google Scholar
Ministry of Public Health (2000) Dietary Recommendations in Turkey The Turkish Health Inventory Study. Ankara: Ministry of Public Health.Google Scholar
Ministry of Welfare of the Republic of Latvia (2001) Dietary Recommendations in Latvia – Decree 233 August Riga: Ministry of Welfare of the Republic of Latria..Google Scholar
Netherlands Food and Nutrition Council (1992) Dietary Recommendations in The Netherlands. The Hague: The Health and Nutrition Council of The Netherlands.Google Scholar
Nordic Council of Ministers Nordic Working Group on Diet and Nutrition (1996a) Nordic nutrition recommendations. Scand J Nutr/Näringsforskning 40, 161–165.Google Scholar
Nordic Council of Ministers (1996b) Nordiska närings-rekommendationer 1996 (Nutrient Recommendations for the Nordic Countries) Copenhagen Nordic Council of Ministers Nord 1996:28.Google Scholar
Nordin, BEC & Marshall, DH (1988) Dietary requirements for calcium Calcium in Human Biology 447–464 [Nordin, BEC, editors]. Berlin: Springer-Verlag.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Departamento de Nutrición de la Universitad de Complutense (1995) Tablas de Ingestas Recomendadas en Energia y Nutrientes par la Poblacion Espanola. Madrid Departamento de Bromatologia, Universitad Complutense de Madrid.Google Scholar
Official Paper of Republic of Serbia (1996) National References for Social Nutrition for Children in Preschool Child Centres 50/94 1643–1656.Google Scholar
Ritz, P & Coward, WA (1995) Doubly labelled water measurement of total energy expenditure. Diabete Metab 21, 241–251.Google ScholarPubMed
Scientific Committee on FoodScientific Committee on Food (1993) Nutrient and Energy Intakes for the European Community. Report Series Brussels Commission of the European Communities no. 31.Google Scholar
Scientific Committee on FoodScientific Committee on Food (2000) Opinion of the Scientific Committee on Food on the Tolerable Upper Level Intake of Folateexpressed on 19 OctoberBrussels:European Commission, Health & Consumer Protection Directorate General.Google Scholar
Società, Italiana, di, Nutrizione Umana (1996) Livelli di Assunzione Giornallieri Raccomandati di Nutrienti per la populazione Italiana (LARN) (Tables – Dietary Recommendations in Italy) Milan EDRA.Google Scholar
Società, Italiana, di, Nutrizione Umana (1998) Livelli di Assunzione Raccomandati di Energia e Nutrienti per la populazione Italiana (LARN) Milan EDRA.Google Scholar
Trichopoulou, A & Vassilakou, T (1990) Recommended dietary intakes in the European Community Member States: an overview. Eur J Clin Nutr 44 Suppl. 2,51–126.Google ScholarPubMed
Ziemlanski, S, Bulhak-Jachymczyk, B, Budynska-Topolowska, J, Panczenko-Kresowska, B & Wartanowicz, M (1996) Recommended Dietary Allowances for the Polish Population (energy, protein, fat, vitamins and minerals), pp. 1–27 [S Ziemianski, editor]. Warsaw: New Medicine.Google Scholar