LL Hui, EAS Nelson

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the dietary pattern of Hong Kong young children and its implication for nutrition education. Methods: Dietary patterns of 316 children aged 6-7-years (121 overweight, 130 middle-weight and 65 low-weight children), were assessed by a standardised questionnaire and a 3-day dietary record. Results: Macronutrient composition (carbohydrates: 53%; proteins: 16% and fats: 31%) was similar in the three weight groups and in line with recommendations. Our subjects mainly consumed proteins from animal sources. Seventy-nine percent of the subjects reported routine snacking during school breaks and fat from snacks (22%) was higher than that reported in 1993 (15%). An inadequate vegetable (84 g/day) intake was observed. Absence of vegetables during lunch was reported by 22% of subjects and this was associated with eating out. Conclusion: Further nutrition education in young children in Hong Kong should focus on healthy choices of snacks, balancing animal and plant sources of proteins and adequate consumption of vegetables and fruits. The need for healthy school lunch and snack programmes should be emphasised.

目的：調查香港年幼兒童的膳食模式及其對營養教育的啟示。方法：採用標準化問卷和 3 日膳食記錄法評價 316 名 6-7 歲兒童（其中 121 名超重，130 名體重適宜，65 名體重偏低）的膳食模式。結果：三組兒童宏量營養素的組成（碳水化合物：53%；蛋白質：16%；脂肪：31%）相類似，且符合推薦標準。被調查兒童的蛋白質攝入主要來源於動物性蛋白。79% 的兒童在課間常規進食零食，且零食中脂肪的比例（22%）高於 1993 年報導的 15%。此次調查還發現這些兒童蔬菜攝取量（84 g/日）不足。22% 的兒童午餐缺少蔬菜，主要與外出飲食有關。結論：香港兒童今後的營養教育重點應放在健康零食的選擇，動物性和植物性蛋白比例的平衡以及足夠的蔬菜和水果的攝入。開展學校健康午餐和零食計劃是必要的。