OBJECTIVETo investigate the total energy intake, the energy from milk and other foods in the infants aged 4 to 12 months and analyze the factors related to the energy intake.

METHODSTotally 132 infants aged 4 months, who were brought for serial measurements to the Department of Primary Child Care, from November 2004 to March 2005 were enrolled into this study and were serially followed up until 12 months of age. The infants were divided into 3 groups, group A, age 4-5 months; group B, age 6-8 months; group C, age 9-12 months. The weights and the recumbent body lengths were measured by two professional staff members. The assessment of physical growth of the infants was done by using the CDC2000 reference. As the changes of Z score on weight for age (Delta WAZ) were < -0.67 during the two visits, the participation of the infants to this study was discontinued. The dietary intakes of the infants were calculated according to 24 h dietary records or after weighing foods for sequential 3 days,

RESULTS(1) When the Delta WAZs of the participated infants were between 0.67 and -0.67, the food intakes among three groups were 119-128 g/(kg.d), the protein intakes were 1.82 g/(kg x d), 2.76 g/(kg x d) and 3.52 g/(kg x d), respectively. The milk intakes were 76-114 g/(kg x d), which accounted for 93% of energy intakes in group A, 64% in group B and 56% in group C. The energy intakes of the 3 groups were 83.9 kcal/(kg x d), 81.6 kcal/(kg x d), and 85.8 kcal/(kg x d), respectively, which were almost similar to WHO 2003 recommendations, and lower than that of Chinese RNI. (2) The data from multiple linear regression analysis showed that the food intakes and the energy density were the most important factors related to energy intakes. The energy density of all foods was 0.6-0.8 kcal/g.

CONCLUSIONS(1) The growth of the infants was within the normal range as the energy intakes were 82-86 kcal/(kg x d). (2) The infants may need 900-750 g/d of milk to meet the basic requirements of energy and protein. (3) The food intakes and the energy density were the most important factors related to the energy intakes, the appropriate energy density for infants is 0.6-0.8 kcal/g.