A critical analysis of measured food energy intakes during infancy and early childhood in comparison with current international recommendations

Abstract

An examination of published reports of measured energy intakes of infants and young children reveals that during the first year of life the pattern of change in food energy intake differs fundamentally from the WHO/FAO (1973) Recommendations. In contrast to the progressive linear decline in intake per kg body weight that has previously been assumed, measured intakes are not only substantially lower, but fall much more rapidly up to six months. In even greater contrast, they then rise again, to coincide with the recommendations, reaching a peak at around two years. These findings enable a more realistic assessment to be made of the adequacy of breast milk as the sole source of food in the early months of life.