Dataset Information

Where and when are portion sizes larger in young children? An analysis of eating occasion size among 1·5-5-year-olds in the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey (2008-2017).

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To identify eating occasion-level and individual-level factors associated with the consumption of larger portions in young children and estimate their relative importance.

Design

Cross-sectional.

Setting

Data from parent-reported 4-d food diaries in the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey (2008-2017) were analysed. Multilevel models explored variation in eating occasion size (kJ) within (n 48 419 occasions) and between children (n 1962) for all eating occasions. Eating contexts: location, eating companion, watching TV, and sitting at a table and individual characteristics: age, gender, ethnicity and parental socio-economic status were explored as potential correlates of eating occasion size.

Participants

Children aged 1·5-5 years.

Results

Median eating occasion size was 657 kJ (IQR 356, 1117). Eating occasion size variation was primarily attributed (90 %) to differences between eating occasions. Most (73 %) eating occasions were consumed at home. In adjusted models, eating occasions in eateries were 377 kJ larger than at home. Eating occasions sitting at a table, v. not, were 197 kJ larger. Eating in childcare, with additional family members and friends, and whilst watching TV were other eating contexts associated with slightly larger eating occasion sizes.

Conclusions

Eating contexts that vary from one eating occasion to another are more important than demographic characteristics that vary between children in explaining variation in consumed portion sizes in young children. Strategies to promote consumption of age-appropriate portion sizes in young children should be developed, especially in the home environment, in eating contexts such as sitting at the table, eating with others and watching TV.

SUBMITTER: Porter A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9991682 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Where and when are portion sizes larger in young children? An analysis of eating occasion size among 1·5-5-year-olds in the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey (2008-2017).

Porter Alice A Toumpakari Zoi Z Kipping Ruth R Summerbell Carolyn C Johnson Laura L

Public health nutrition 20211227 12

<h4>Objective</h4>To identify eating occasion-level and individual-level factors associated with the consumption of larger portions in young children and estimate their relative importance.<h4>Design</h4>Cross-sectional.<h4>Setting</h4>Data from parent-reported 4-d food diaries in the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey (2008-2017) were analysed. Multilevel models explored variation in eating occasion size (kJ) within (<i>n</i> 48 419 occasions) and between children (<i>n</i> 1962) for all eat ...[more]

PMID: 34955105

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Project description:BackgroundRecommendations to define eating occasions (EO) currently exist for research in adults, but not for children or adolescents. We examined how varying EO definitions affect the characterization of eating patterns in children and adolescents.MethodsCross-sectional dietary data collected using a 24-h recall data during the 2011-12 Australian National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (1364 boys and 1337 girls aged 2-18 years) were analyzed. Eight definitions were applied: participant-identified, time-of-day, and 6 neutral definitions (EO separated by 15- or 60-min and/or an additional energy criterion of 21 or 210 kJ). Frequency of and total energy intake from meals, snacks, and all EO were estimated. F tests stratified by gender and age-group, were used to assess differences between definitions. Agreement between definitions of meal and snack frequencies was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Linear regression was used to estimate the proportion of variance in total energy intake (kJ) and BMI z-score predicted by each definition.ResultsMean frequencies of meals and snacks differed between the participant-identified and time-of-day definitions, in boys and girls and for all age groups (P < 0.01). Across the six neutral definitions, there were differences between mean frequencies of EO with the largest mean difference observed for children aged 2-3 y (boys: 2.3, girls: 2.5; P < 0.003). Between the participant-identified and time-of-day definitions, there was good agreement for frequencies of snacks (ICC for both genders: 0.93) but not meals (boys: 0.36; girls: 0.38). The 15-min time interval plus 210 kJ definition of an EO consistently predicted the most variance in total energy intake (R2 range = 8.1-34.8). Definitions that delineated meals and snacks better predicted variance in BMI z-score, when compared to the neutral definitions.ConclusionsHow eating patterns are characterized vary depending on the EO definitions employed, particularly in young children. Variance in total energy intake was best predicted by a variation of the neutral definition whereas definitions that delineated meals and snacks performed better in relation to predicting BMI variance. Further international research that compares EO definitions in children will help inform a standard approach.

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Dataset Information

Where and when are portion sizes larger in young children? An analysis of eating occasion size among 1·5-5-year-olds in the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey (2008-2017).

Objective

Design

Setting

Participants

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Where and when are portion sizes larger in young children? An analysis of eating occasion size among 1·5-5-year-olds in the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey (2008-2017).

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