Basic food basket, food pyramid and nutritional recommendations for chilean children. A comparative analysis

Abstract

Background: The basic food basket (BFB) has been developed to evaluate poverty and patterns of food consumption in many countries, including Chile. Different alternatives, like food pyramid (FP), have been proposed as guidelines for nutritional education. The relationship between both tools is unknown. 

Objective: To analyze the nutrient intake of children belonging to low-income Chilean families according to the BFB, in order to compare it with nutritional recommendations and Chilean FP.

Methods: Information included in the CBA (MIDEPLAN) and Chilean BFB was analyzed. A family with 2 children (4 and 10 years-old) was studied in their feeding based on the BFB. We assume a proportional rate of intake according to normal energy (E) requirements by age and gender. The standard for nutrients consumption were those of FAO-WHO 2002 for energy and protein and WHO 1996 for zinc. 

Results: The E consumption with the BFB was 125% for preschool (PS) and 91% for school children (SC) of recommendations. High quality protein consumption was 76% in PS and 42% in SC children. Energy provided by fats was similar in terms of recommendations (21% with 7% saturated fats). The intake of calcium was 31% for PS and 29% for SC; zinc intake was 76% for PS and 73% for SC, all compared to WHO 1996 recommendations. 

Conclusions: BFB does not provide adequate amounts of protein, calcium and zinc. Chilean FP for children exceeds in proteins and contains few zinc. The analysis of both tools is recommended.