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Cited by 81Obesity, Physical Activity, DietFatty Acid Research and HealthMuscle metabolism and nutrition

Fat intake of children in relation to energy requirements

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Butte, Nancy F·2000·The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
DOI 10.1093/ajcn/72.5.1246s
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Abstract

The optimal fat intake for children is discussed in light of their energy requirements. Total energy requirements were estimated from doubly labeled water studies of total energy expenditure (TEE) and the energy cost of growth. Basal metabolic rates (BMRs) were calculated from weight by using the equations of Schofield et al or by indirect calorimetry. Activity energy expenditure and physical activity levels were calculated as TEE - BMR and TEE/BMR, respectively. Weight-specific energy requirements for maintenance and growth changed inversely to the increased energy needed for physical activity in healthy, active children. The total energy requirements of infants increased from 1.4 MJ/d at 1 mo to 4.0 MJ/d at 24 mo. The energy cost of growth decreased sharply from 37-38% to 2% of the total requirement during the first 24 mo of life. Energy requirements increased from 4 MJ/d at 2 y to 11 MJ/d at 18 y in girls and from 5 to 15 MJ/d in boys. The energy cost of growth varied between 1% and 4% of total energy requirements in childhood and adolescence. The current recommendation of 30% of energy from dietary fat for children aged >2 y is sufficient for adequate growth. Lower fat intakes may be associated with inadequate vitamin and mineral intakes and increased risk of poor growth. Diets higher in fat may lead to higher energy intakes and higher body fat, although available data for children are conflicting. Beyond infancy, children can meet their energy needs for maintenance, physical activity, and growth from a diet providing 30% of energy from fat.

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  • Juveniles have greater size-adjusted DEE than adults as a result of the energy cost of growth.

    “This pattern holds for juveniles, which have greater size-adjusted DEE than adults as a result of the energy cost of growth (19) (Fig. 2B).”

    From Metabolic adaptation for low energy throughput in orangutans. (2010) · cites this paper as [19]

  • Total energy expenditure rises with age as children grow.

    “Total expenditure increases with age as children grow (10)”

    From Daily energy expenditure through the human life course (2021) · cites this paper as [10]

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Authors
Butte, N. F.
Affiliations
Agricultural Research Service (US)
Corresponding author
Butte, Nancy F
ORCID
Butte, Nancy F
Venue
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2000-11
Volume
72
Issue
5
Pages
1246s-1252s
ISSN
0002-9165 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1093/ajcn/72.5.1246s
OpenAlex
W1893516133
Cited by
81
References
43
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 3
FWCI
0.56
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Fatty Acid Research and Health
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Muscle metabolism and nutrition
Keywords
dietary fat intake, children, energy requirements, energy expenditure, basal metabolic rate, physical activity, infants, adolescence, fat mass, vitamin and mineral intake
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Body Weight, Child, Child Development, Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena, Child, Preschool, Dietary Fats, Energy Metabolism, Female, Humans, Infant, Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena, Infant, Newborn, Male, Nutritional Requirements

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