Evolution of the application of nutrition in French nursing infants. Comparison of two national investigations performed in 1981 and 1989

: A national dietary survey was carried out in 1981 among a representative sample of 499 French infants 1 to 18 months of age. When compared with the French Recommended Dietary Allowances, the diets were found to be well supplied in energy, protein and calcium, and inadequately supplied in iron and linoleic acid, mainly for infants aged 4-10 months. A comparative dietary survey conducted by using the same methodology (food consumption was measured by means of a 3-day food record) in 1989 showed that linoleic acid intake was higher in the 6-month-old group. Similarly, iron intakes were higher in 1989 for infants aged 1-7 months. The mean daily iron intake increased between 1981 and 1989 from 5.0 +/- 1.9 mg to 7.3 +/- 2.6 mg in the 6-month-old group and was similar for the older infants. The data suggest that educational programs were partially efficient but it is clear that more effective efforts are needed.