PO 076. PROTEIN INTAKE AND FOOD SOURCES OF PROTEIN DURING EARLY LIFE FEEDING OF BRAZILIAN INFANTS BELOW 1 YEAR OF AGE

Background and aims. Infants may be exposed to various food protein sources during the first 1000 days. This study describes protein and protein-food source consumption of Brazilian infants.

Methods. The Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS) 2019 is a cross-sectional dietary survey of caregivers of Brazilian infants aged <1 year (n=218) using 24-hour recalls. A random subsample (25%) completed a second recall to estimate usual protein intakes which was compared to reference values. Food sources of protein and their percent contribution to total protein intakes (TPI) were calculated.

Results. Infants aged 0-5.9 months consumed 11.7 g/d of protein (mean intake) and increased to 29.1 g/day among 6-11.9 months infants. According to the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (ESPGHAN), protein consumption should be limited to 15% of total energy at 12 months. Around 12% of the total energy came from proteins among 6-11.9 months infants. At 90th percentile infants were on this upper limited proposed by ESPGHAN, suggesting that the number of children exceeding the protein intake is less than 10% of infants (6-11.9 months). Human milk is the main food source of protein among 0-5.9 months infants (76.2% of TPI) and around 19.3% of daily protein is coming from infant formula and whole cow’s milk. Food intake diversifies with age and whole cow’s milk becomes the primary source of protein of older infants, followed by human milk, meats, infant formula and other grains.

Conclusions. Infants consumed other types of milk than breast milk or infant formula before 6 months, which raises the importance of evidence-based complementary feeding guidance for this population. Diverse protein foods should be encouraged in diets of older children to ensure adequate protein quality in early childhood.