Dietary calcium intake in Brazilian preschoolers and schoolchhildren: review of the literature

Objective: The objective of this study was to map and synthesize evidence on the adequacy of dietary calcium intake and dairy products in Brazilian preschoolers and schoolchildren. Data source: Evidence searches were performed in the MEDLINE (via PubMed) and Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS; via BVS) databases, with no restriction on date or language of publication. Experimental or observational studies that evaluated healthy Brazilian children between 2 and 12 incomplete years old were included. Data synthesis: A total of 18 studies were included. Seven of 11 studies of 11 studies (63.6%) identified mean values of dietary calcium intake below the age recommendation, especially in schoolchildren, with the progression of the age group. Among preschoolers, studies with direct weighing of food showed higher mean values of dietary calcium ingested compared to those with dietary recall. Children attending public daycare centers on a part-time basis tended to have inadequate calcium intake. The consumption of milk and dairy products was lower among older children, especially schoolchildren. Conclusions: Inadequate dietary calcium intake seems to be prevalent in Brazil during childhood, especially among schoolchildren. Therefore, the evaluation of milk and dairy products intake must be considered in order to desgn appropriate corrective actions.