Feeding young children aged 1 to 5 years find formulas contribute 50% of free sugars intake in consumers
Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN). July 2023. SACN’s webpage
Conclusion on Drinks
Evidence from DNSIYC and NDNS indicated that:
- formula milks (mainly follow-on formula and milks marketed for children over the age of 1 year, also known as ‘toddler milks’ and ‘growing-up milks’) were consumed by 36% of children aged 1 to 1.5 years and contributed 50% of free sugars intake in consumers (18% of free sugars intake at a population level)
- fruit juice (100% fruit juice and smoothies) contributed nearly 11% to free sugars intake in children aged 1.5 to 4 years and less than 10% in the other age groups at a population level.Substitution analysis using data from DNSIYC indicated that replacing whole cows’ milk with semi-skimmed cows’ milk for children aged 1 to 1.5 years would be unlikely to have a detrimental effect on nutrient intakes at the population level.
By contrast, replacing whole milk with skimmed or 1% milk may result in a greater risk of inadequate intakes of vitamin A in young children.
Other findings:
- S.45 Evidence identified from SRs indicated that higher sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption in children aged 1 to 5 years is associated with a greater odds of overweight or obesity in childhood.
- S.46 Evidence identified from SRs indicated that continued breastfeeding beyond the age of 1 year is protective against malocclusion (teeth that are not correctly aligned).
- S.29 The current diet of young children in the UK, as captured in both DNSIYC and NDNS, does not meet current dietary recommendations for several nutrients.
- S.30 The following conclusions are informed by the main findings from DNSIYC and NDNS together with SR evidence that was graded ‘adequate’ and ‘moderate’ (Table S1).Energy and macronutrients
- S.31 Evidence from DNSIYC and NDNS indicated that:
- mean intakes of total dietary energy (TDEI) for children aged 1 to 3 years were above the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR)
- mean intakes of free sugars for children aged 1.5 to 5 years were above the current recommendation of no more than 5% TDEI
- mean intakes of dietary fibre for children aged 1.5 to 5 years were below the recommended intake of 15 grams per day
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- mean intakes of saturated fats were above the current recommendation of no more than 10% TDEI (which applies in full from age 5 years)
- mean intakes of protein were above the Reference Nutrient Intake (RNI). Evidence identified from SRs indicated that:
- larger portion sizes provided in preschool settings are associated with higher food and energy intakes in the short term (less than 6 months)
- higher free sugars intake in children aged 1 to 5 years is associated with increased dental caries (increment, incidence or prevalence) in childhood and adolescence
- higher total protein intake in children aged 1 to 5 years is associated with higher BMI in childhood
- higher child BMI or weight status is associated with higher risk of adult overweight or obesity.These findings are of concern in relation to wider evidence on:
- the high prevalence of overweight and obesity in childhood in the UK particularly in lower socioeconomic groups and in some ethnic groups
- the high prevalence of dental caries in children in the UK.