Usual intakes of nutrients among children 2-5 years in Hays County, Texas reveal nutritional risk

Nationally, usual intakes of young children meet or exceed dietary reference intakes (DRI). Regional studies are needed to assess diets in high-risk communities, such as San Marcos, TX in Hays County, where 58% of 7th graders are overweight or obese and diets of infants in WIC are low in vitamin D and iron. The objective of this study was to determine usual nutrient intakes among a sample of preschoolers in Hays County. Parents of 124 children ages 2-5 y were recruited from county childcare facilities and compensated with a $10 grocery gift card to provide a 24-hour recall of their child's diet. A second recall was provided by 50% of the sample. Recalls were collected by telephone using Nutrition Data System for Research. The National Cancer Institute method was used to estimate usual nutrient intakes. Caloric intake exceeded the DRI in 40% of children 2-3 y and 50% of children 4-5 y. Saturated fat intake exceeded 10% of calories in 75% of children 2-5 y. Usual intake of dietary fiber was less than the ad...