Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention Releases Investigation Data Regarding Baby’s Diet

The National Institute for Nutrition and Health of Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), et al, released two papers in the Journal of Hygiene Research last month. Supported by Science & Technology Basic Resources Investigation Program, the two papers analyze the breast milk intake of Chinese infants aged 0-5 months and energy & nutrients intake from complementary foods of children aged 6-23 months, respectively, in 2019-2021.

Brief Summary for the Two Researches

1. Breast milk intake of Chinese infants aged 0-5 months in 2019-2021

The team measured the breast milk intake of 337 infants aged from 0-5 months (50.74% are boys and 49.26% are girls). Among them, 265 infants are exclusively breastfed (the exclusive breastfeeding rate is 78.64%). Major research results are as below.

• The mean breast milk intake of exclusively breastfed infants aged 0-5 months is 800.1 g/d, ranging from 696.4-937.7 g/d.

• The exclusively breastfed infants aged 0-5 months were fed 8 times in 24 hours. The breast milk intake per time is 103.4-152.5g. The duration of each feeding is 20.4-24.6 min.

• In the mixed feeding group (breast milk + powdered formula), breast milk + complementary feeding group, and breast milk + formula powder + complementary feed group, the breast milk intake of infants aged 0-5 months were 341.1-496.7g, 239.1-742.7g and 90.0-508.0g, respectively.

As disclosed by this paper, the research result offers data support to the formulation of recommended nutrient intake and dietary guideline for infants.

2. Energy and nutrients intake from complementary foods of children aged 6-23 months in China in 2019-2021

The team researches 546 infants aged 6-23 months, 57.5% (314) from cities, and 42.5% (232) from rural areas. Their geographical distribution varies, i.e., 53.7% from the south, and 46.3% from the north; 31.3% from the east, 37.0% from the middle, and 31.7% from the west. Boys account for 48.2%. Breastfeeding rate is 35.4%.

The research unveils that for children aged 6-8 months, 9-11 months, 12-17 months and 18-23 months,

• The energy intake from complementary foods was 156.1, 258.0, 388.7 and 581.1 kcal, respectively.

• The protein intake was 5.1, 10.1, 15.0 and 21.7g, respectively.

• The fat intake was 3.3, 6.7, 9.5 and 15.9 g, respectively.

• The calcium intake was 38.7, 54.8, 78.6 and 106.9 mg, respectively.

• The iron intake was 1.3, 2.2, 3.5 and 5.3 mg, respectively.

• The zinc intake was 0.7, 1.4, 2.0 and 2.9 mg, respectively.

• The vitamin A intake was 83.7, 100.3, 157.4 and 180.4 μgRAE, respectively.

More data can be accessed in the table below.

Table 1: Daily energy and nutrient intake of infants aged 6-23 months, 2019-2021

The team concluded that compared with the WHO recommended nutrients density, the main issue of complementary food for children in China were high protein for children aged 6-23 months and low iron and zincfor infants aged 6-11 months.

For further baby food industry analysis service, please email [email protected].