The Nutritional Impact of a Milk for Preschool Children in the Philippines: A Diet Modeling Study
OBJECTIVES: There is high prevalence of micronutrient inadequacy among preschool-children in the Philippines. In addition, 60% of Filipino pre-school children do not consume any dairy on a given day despite the government recommendation of one serving of milk (180 ml) per day. Milk for pre-school children (milk henceforth), a source of energy, protein, and micronutrients, tailored to the nutritional needs of children in this age group, may improve nutrient adequacy in this population. This study models the nutritional impact of adding one serving of milk in the diets of Filipino children who currently do not consume any dairy products. METHODS: Dietary intake data of Filipino pre-school children aged 3 to 5 years were analyzed from the 8th National Nutrition Survey 2013. Non-dairy consumers were identified (n = 1313) and daily mean intakes of iron, calcium, folate, zinc, thiamine, riboflavin, vitamins C and D were calculated (pre-simulation). A serving of milk was added to each individual's diet and daily mean intakes of nutrients were recalculated (post-simulation). Mean nutrient intakes and percentage of children with inadequacy (using Estimated Average Requirements (EAR) cut-off method) were compared pre- and post-simulations. RESULTS: The mean nutrient intakes post-simulation were higher and closer to the Filipino dietary recommendations: iron (pre-simulation (mean ± SD) = 4.8 ± 3.4 mg/d; post-simulation = 6.5 ± 3.4 mg/d), calcium (191.5 ± 153.5 mg/d; 384.9 ± 153.5 mg/d), zinc (2.9 ± 1.9 mg/d; 4.3 ± 1.9 mg/d), thiamine (0.5 ± 0.3 mg/d; 0.7 ± 0.3 mg/d), riboflavin (0.5 ± 2.1 mg/d; 0.7 ± 2.1 mg/d), folate (120.3 ± 101.4 µg/d; 180.8 ± 101.4 µg/d), vitamin C (17.0 ± 29.2 mg/d; 35.8 ± 29.2 mg/d), and vitamin D (1.5 ± 2.2 µg/d; 3.0 ± 2.2 µg/d) respectively (P < 0.001). The proportions of children with inadequate nutrient intakes post-simulation were reduced by 13.3% for iron, 19.2% for calcium, 23.2% for folate, 35.2% for zinc, 34.8% for thiamine, 43.3% for riboflavin, 73.1% for vitamin C, and 4.9% for vitamin ...
