Energy intake of 1 to 18 year old German children and adolescents

In a sample of 695 healthy well-nourished German children and adolescents covering the total age range from 1 to 18 years, 3d weighed diet records were collected and measurements of body height and weight were taken. 10 % non-plausible records (reported energy intake (EI):estimated basal metabolic rate (BMR) < Cut off 1.06) were excluded from further analysis. The rate of non-plausible records was low in the childhood age groups (2-6 %), higher in the male (10 %), and highest in the female adolescents (30 %). Recalculation of age and sex specific cut offs based on assumed light physical activity levels (PAL) reduced the exclusion rate to 6.5 % (total) and 20 % (female adolescents). The reported energy intake of the total sample based on plausible records (n=627, EI:BMR greater than or equal to 1.06) was close to the new estimations of energy requirements assuming light physical activity which are proposed for the revision of the current FAO/WHO energy requirements. The sample was of normal height and weight compared to the Netherlands growth references. For a definite interpretation of the low reported energy intake in the context of health promoting physical activity patterns of children and adolescents more scientific evidence should be available.