Early Childhood Diets in Lebanon: Micronutrient and Fiber Intake Gaps

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-woman-feeding-her-child-3820131/

Proper nutrition during infancy and early childhood is essential for healthy growth and long-term development. In Lebanon, however, many infants and young children are not meeting recommended intakes for key nutrients such as fiber, iron, zinc, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin A and folate. To better understand where these gaps come from, Chokor, Hwalla, Naja et al (2024) examined which foods contribute most to these nutrients and where children’s diets may be falling short.

This national cross-sectional study included 763 children aged 6 to 47.9 months. Using 24-hour dietary recalls, the researchers assessed how much fiber and essential micronutrients each child consumed. They also divided children into three age groups, infants, toddlers and preschoolers, to see how food sources change as children grow and transition through complementary feeding. The analysis highlighted the main foods providing each nutrient across the different age categories.

The results showed that while vegetables were the main source of fiber, very few toddlers and preschoolers actually met their fiber needs. For younger children, infant formulas and baby cereals were major contributors of several vitamins and minerals, especially iron. By preschool age, meat and fish became the primary sources of iron and zinc, while cow’s milk provided most of the calcium, vitamin D and vitamin A. Despite these sources, nutrient intakes remained inadequate for many children.

Overall, the study suggests that current complementary feeding practices in Lebanon are not supplying enough essential nutrients, highlighting the need for culturally tailored nutrition guidance and improved access to nutrient-rich foods.

COMMENTARY

These findings show that many young children may not be getting the nutrients they need during a critical period of growth. Strengthening early childhood nutrition education and improving the availability of affordable, nutrient-dense foods can help reduce long-term health risks and support healthier development.

Chokor, F.A.Z., Hwalla, N., Naja, F. et al. Food sources of fiber and micronutrients of concern among infants and young children in Lebanon: a national cross-sectional study. BMC Pediatr 24, 57 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-024-04535-2