Dietary habits and nutrient intake of South Asian children (1-3 years) living in the UK.

This cross-sectional study is the first study to be carried out in the UK that explored and assessed the dietary habits and nutrient intakes of pre-school South Asian (SA) children (1 to 3 years old) living in the UK. A cohort of SA mothers completed a questionnaire with questions about their children dietary habits, sleeping habits and mothers’ nutritional knowledge (n=160). Food intake information was gathered by three 24-hour multiple pass recalls (MPRs). Household measurements and a newly developed food photograph booklet for SA food were used to estimate food portion sizes. All foods were analysed for nutrient composition using the WinDiets software and the latest available data on SA foods generated by the FSA and EuroFIR. A questionnaires regarding factors influencing SA mothers’ weaning practices was administered through in-depth interviews (n=30). The results suggest that there were various dietary habits and practices to be found amongst SA children. These habits were found to be influenced by the mother’s religion, culture and beliefs. In addition, the study has shown that milk and milk products was the largest food group that contributed towards the daily diet. SA children have energy intakes significantly lower than the EAR when compared to the UK recommendations, both amongst boys (1126.4 kcal/d ±197.75) and girls (1106.2 ± 225.86). They are most likely to have adequate intakes of most nutrients except for vitamin A, vitamin D, Fe and Zn; mean intakes were found to be below the RNI (96%, 18.7%, 89.5% and 95.5% of the RNI, respectively). Furthermore, it was found that a 24-hour MPR was an appropriate tool to be used with SAs and that participants can enhance their estimation of portion sizes using food photographs. These findings enhance our understanding of SA dietary habits and can serve as a basis for future studies.