Abstract
Background: Measuring dietary intake by self-report methods have challenges for children and adults. Among an infant population, research showed that caregivers tend to overestimate their childs consumption. Limited research has examined the association between caregiver-report of infant total caloric consumption and their weight gain longitudinally. Methods: Intake data were collected from 90 healthy infants aged 9 - 15 months old as part of a 2-year randomized controlled trial. Infant dietary intake, height, and weight were collected at baseline, 12- and 24-month follow-up. Using WHO standard growth charts, weight for length z-score (zWFL), weight for age z-score (zWFA) and body mass index z-score (zBMI) were calculated. Caregivers completed three 24-hr dietary recalls (2 weekday and 1 weekend day) for their child, which reported all the food and beverages consumed in addition to breastmilk and infant formula. Dietary data were analyzed using the Nutrition Data System for Research (NDSR). Change in total caloric consumption and change in weight status were examined. Results: Changes in caloric intake (kcals) positively correlated with changes in infant raw weight (r=0.335, p = 0.004), zWFL (r=0.278, p=0.017), zWFA (r=0.380, p=0.001), and zBMI (r=0.294, p=0.012) from baseline to 12-month follow-up. Similarly, changes in caloric intake (kcals) positively correlated with changes in infant raw weight (r=0.379, p=0.002), zWFL (r=0.355, p=0.003), zWFA (r=0.366, p=0.003), and zBMI (r = 0.367, p = 0.002) from baseline to 24-month follow-up. Conclusions: Caregiver-reported 3-day dietary recalls may be a valid tool in estimating infant dietary intake.