Nutrient intakes and iron and vitamin D status differ depending on main milk consumed by UK children aged 12-18 months – secondary analysis from the Diet and Nutrition Survey of Infants and Young Children

In 2011, the Diet and Nutrition Survey of Infants and Young Children (DNSIYC) surveyed 2683 UK infants and young children aged between 4 and 18 months. This large study revealed detailed dietary intake data and collected and analysed blood samples for iron and vitamin D status measures, making this a valuable and unique dataset.Data from DNSIYC were used to investigate the intakes of key nutrients, and iron and vitamin D status, in young children aged 12-18 months. Nutrition in the second year of life is important as this is a period of rapid growth and development. Milk is a major food for young children and this analysis evaluated the impact of the type of milk consumed on nutrient intakes and nutritional status. Young children aged 12–18 months, not breastfed, were divided into 2 groups; those consuming more than 400 g/d fortified milk or more than 400 g/d of whole cows’ milk. Mean daily total dietary intakes of iron, zinc, vitamin A and vitamin D were significantly higher in the fortified milk group. Mean daily total dietary intakes of energy, protein, calcium, iodine, sodium and saturated fat were significantly higher in the cows’ milk group Blood samples from eligible children for measurement of haemoglobin, serum ferritin and plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations were available for approximately 20% of the children. The fortified milk group had significantly higher serum ferritin (P = 0·049) and plasma 25(OH)D (P = 0·014). Haemoglobin was not different between groups. This analysis demonstrates significantly different nutrient intakes and status between infants consuming more than 400 g/d fortified milk compared with those consuming more than 400 g/d whole cows’ milk. These results indicate that fortified milks can play a significant role in improving the quality of young children’s diets in their second year of life.