Guidelines for infant nutrition in Germany
- 20.09.2021
- English Articles
- Mathilde Kersting
- Hermann Kalhoff
- Susanne Voss
- Kathrin Jansen
- Thomas Lücke
Peer reviewed / Manuscript (Original) submitted: 28 June 2020 / Revision accepted: 21 December 2020
The updated Dietary Scheme for the first year of life
Introduction
In Germany guidelines for infant nutrition developed on the basis of pioneering work by German paediatricians around 120 years ago. Accurate records of food intake and healthy development enabled the formulation of initial well-founded assumptions on dietary needs and appropriate nutrition [1]. These initial rules were continually further developed [2] and a few decades ago were amalgamated into an overall concept by the Research Institute of Child Nutrition in Dortmund (Forschungsinstitut für Kinderernährung, FKE) as what is known as the Dietary Scheme for the first year of life [3].
The Dietary Scheme forms the basis for the corresponding guidelines of the German Society of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, DGKJ) and for the action recommendations of young families information network, Netzwerk Junge Familie. These are also in line with European expert societies. The Scheme provides a comprehensive description of nutritional development in infancy from exclusive breastfeeding in the first months of life and the step-by-step introduction of complementary feeding to the transition to family meals and takes account of neuromotor development and common foods in Germany.
Abstract
Goals: The updating of the Dietary Scheme for the first year of life by the Research Institute of Child Nutrition in Bochum was intended to ensure implementation of the latest German, Austrian and Swiss (D-A-CH) reference values for nutrient intake during the complementary feeding stage.
Methodology: On the basis of a 7-day model dietary plan for infants around the age of 8 months, the daily intake of energy and nutrients was calculated and compared with the D-A-CH reference values for this age group. It was assumed that the complementary food (CF) was prepared at home. The assumed standard for the milk consumed in addition to CF was breast milk (“breast milk plan”) or follow-on formula as a substitute for breast milk (“formula plan”).
Results: In the updated Dietary Scheme for the first year of life the daily intake of most nutrients in both versions of the plan is largely in line with D-A-CH reference values. As is a typical finding for nutrition at this age, the intake of iron and iodine - “critical” nutrients for this age group – is low and protein intake is high. The different nutrient profiles of the meals complement each other for a balanced daily diet.
Conclusion: The new calculations open up the modular food and meal-based concept of the Dietary Scheme for scientific discussion.
Keywords: Dietary Scheme, complementary feeding, nutrient intake, meals, child nutrition, infant nutrition
