Dietary Protein Requirements in Children: Methods for Consideration

Nutrients

JamieI. Baum¹  EvaC. Diaz²  JoshuaL. Hudson²  Elisabet Børsheim² 

[1]Center for Human Nutrition, Department of Food Science, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, Fayetteville, AR 72704, USA

[2]Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA

关键词: adolescents;    muscle;    fitness;    amino acids;   

DOI  :  10.3390/nu13051554

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

The current protein requirement estimates in children were largely determined from studies using the nitrogen balance technique, which has been criticized for potentially underestimating protein needs. Indeed, recent advances in stable isotope techniques suggests protein requirement as much as 60% higher than current recommendations. Furthermore, there is not a separate recommendation for children who engage in higher levels of physical activity. The current evidence suggests that physical activity increases protein requirements to support accretion of lean body masses from adaptations to exercise. The indicator amino acid oxidation and the ¹⁵N-end product methods represent alternatives to the nitrogen balance technique for estimating protein requirements. Several newer methods, such as the virtual biopsy approach and ²H₃-creatine dilution method could also be deployed to inform about pediatric protein requirements, although their validity and reproducibility is still under investigation. Based on the current evidence, the Dietary Reference Intakes for protein indicate that children 4–13 years and 14–18 years require 0.95 and 0.85 g·kg⁻¹·day⁻¹, respectively, based on the classic nitrogen balance technique. There are not enough published data to overturn these estimates; however, this is a much-needed area of research.

【 授权许可】

Unknown