NutritionIrish toddlers' diets are deficient in iron and protein and over-reliant on dairy produce, according to the results of a survey published today.
On average toddlers are only being fed a good source of iron and protein two or three times a week, rather than the twice-daily amount recommended by the Department of Health. In contrast, significant intake of dairy takes place daily.
These results echo previous research which showed up to half of Irish toddlers are deficient in iron and almost 10 per cent suffer iron-deficiency anaemia.
"The level of iron deficiency in that group is huge, and it's possible to be iron-deficient without being anaemic," said Margot Brennan of the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute. "Poor diet is absolutely key and the amount of milk is a huge contributor to bad intake of food in children."
Too much milk reduces a child's appetite for solid foods from which they can get essential minerals such as iron and zinc and vitamins such as vitamin D, she said.
"Commonly mothers are feeding their children over a pint of milk a day and because it is high in fat and low in iron they tend to feel full and are therefore not eating solids," she said.
Iron is essential for brain function and muscle development, and low intake at an early age can have cognitive and physical development implications in later life. Researchers now consider that the effect of iron deficiency among children may be more serious than previously thought.
"It now appears from research following iron deficient toddlers into their teenage years that they will still be behind at that stage," said Ms Brennan. "In other words, even by reversing the deficiency it may not reverse the slow development."
The survey, conducted among 200 mothers in August this year, also found that 10 per cent of toddlers are given tea once a day, and 6 per cent drink it more than once a day.
The tannin in tea prevents iron absorption, and further increases the likelihood of iron deficiency, said Ms Brennan, adding that in her experience giving tea to toddlers was particularly common in Dublin.
Over half the mothers surveyed believe that green vegetables provide a readily absorbed source of iron which worries nutritionists such as Prof Mike Gibney of the department of clinical medicine at Trinity College, Dublin.
"The best source of iron is red meat because it is in a very bio-available form. The iron in vegetables is much less available," he said.
Parents need to be particularly focused on giving their children good weaning foods, paying particular attention to iron, especially if they are being breastfed to six months as recommended by the Department of Health, said Ms Brennan.
"There needs to be a focus on getting a varied diet, in particular meat."
The survey also revealed that 9 per cent of toddlers eat at a fast food restaurant weekly, 16 per cent eat there fortnightly and a third once a month.
The children's food company Cow & Gate, which commissioned the survey into toddlers' diets by Behaviour & Attitudes, is also today launching a milk product which has had its entire protein content changed and is fortified with iron, zinc and vitamin D, according to Prof Mike Gibney.
"It's useful but, I would use a very big but," said Ms Brennan. "You still need to look at a child's diet and if you don't solve what's making it iron deficient, you won't solve the problem."