A comparative study of nutrient intakes of migrant and Australian children in Western Australia
Owles, E.N.
Medical Journal of Australia 2(4): 130-133
1975
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-729X PMID: 1160747 Document Number: 92344
The diets of children aged 1 to 6 years of Australian and non-Australian parents were studied by 24-h recall. The frequency of consumption of "empty calorie" foods was recorded, together with the educational levels of the parents and the use of television and radio. The mean daily intakes of all the nutrients studied appeared to be adequate and in some cases excessive, except for that of niacin in the migrant children aged 1 to 2 years. The protein intakes in both groups were similar at all ages and significantly higher than the allowances (NAR 43, 8215). The energy intakes for each age group were generally higher among the migrant than among the Australian children. The diets of Burmese children showed the most deficiencies, mainly those of niacin, ascorbic acid and Ca. Over 28% of the children in the Australian and north European groups (British, German, French and Dutch) had protein intakes which could be considered excessive, that is 40 g over the recommended intakes. Of the Spanish and Portuguese group of children 50% had energy intakes 1000 kcal above the recommended intakes. The migrants as a whole had a higher consumption of cool drinks, lollies and biscuits than the Australians. It is suggested that television and radio could be used for teaching better nutrition, especially as some of the migrants were illiterate or unable to read English.