Abstract
Background: Dietary pattern established in early childhood significantly influence the probability of having less tendency towards junk food which certainly result in malnutrition whether under/overweight or obesity. Nutrient intakes were compared with Recommended Dietary Allowances RDA (1989) and percent RDAs were computed. Objective: The main objective of the current study to report nutrient intake among preschool-aged children in some kindergartens in kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in Jeddah and compare as percent of RDA. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on preschool children male (n=66), female (n=55). Anthropometric data were taken using standard methods, from 121 children Saudi (77.7%) and the remaining was non-Saudi (22.3%). Aged 24 - 72 months with the aid of a questionnaire from Kindergarten children's and preschool child mothers by direct contact or by telephone. Logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate the influence of various parameters. Seven 24-hour dietary recalls assessed nutrient intakes, which were compared to the Recommended Dietary Allowances of National Academy of Science's. Results: The mean ages in months of the studied preschool children were 52.2 +/- 11.20 months. Diet quality has been shown to be better among children that do meet current recommendations. The average intake of energy was lower than RDA by 35% for preschool children. Energy from carbohydrates was below the recommended values (53.5% of energy was observed vs. 55 % of energy is recommended). Low intake of calcium (85.6%), iron (72.45%) and potassium (57.45%) as percent of the RDA among children of all age groups observed in this study. Mean intake of vitamins; thiamin, niacin and vitamin D (0.48 +/- 0.196, 4.99 +/- 2.6503 and 3.92 +/- 2.33) for Saudi and, (0.38 +/- 0.16, 3.768 +/- 2.11 and 2.88 +/- 2.41) for non Saudi children respectively. It found that the difference between the two groups was significant at p < 0.05. Data was analyzed by SPSS statistical package version 10. Conclusion: These results indicated to the need for improvement in dietary habits among Jeddah children in order to produce a healthful diet and to prevent diet-related diseases in our future adult population. Community and/or school based nutrition education programs are needed to increase children and parents' awareness of the health risks arising from food intakes deviating importantly from the recommendations. It should be further investigated in more detail how this preschool age group dietary pattern, influences their nutrient intakes in order to check whether the current recommended dietary allowances represent the most optimal dietary intake for this group of preschool-aged children. At last, research should assess the health risks associated with these unhealthy eating habits of young children, deviating importantly from the age specific recommendations. [Thanaa. A. El-kholy; Naglaa, H. M. Hassanen, Rasha. M Hassan and Sahar Anter. Nutrient Intakes Affecting the Nutritional Status of preschool Children by Nationality Compared with RDA in Jeddah KSA. Life Sci J 2012;9(4):3338-3346]. (ISSN: 1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com. 493