# Usual Choline Intake of Australian Children 6–24 Months: Findings from the Australian Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (OzFITS 2021)

## TL;DR

This study finds that most Australian infants and toddlers do not meet recommended choline intake levels, with breastmilk and eggs being key sources.

## Contribution

First assessment of usual choline intake in Australian children aged 6–24 months using the OzFITS 2021 data.

## Key findings

- Mean choline intake was 142 mg/day in infants and 181 mg/day in toddlers.
- Only 35% of infants and 23% of toddlers exceeded the Adequate Intake (AI) for choline.
- Breastmilk was the main source of choline for infants, while egg consumers had the highest adjusted choline intakes.

## Abstract

(1) Background: Despite the important role choline plays in child development, there are no data on dietary choline intake in early childhood in Australia. (2) Aim: In this cross-sectional study, we estimated the usual total choline intake and the proportion exceeding the Adequate Intake (AI) and determined the main dietary sources of choline in infants 6–12 months (n = 286) and toddlers 12–24 months (n = 475) of age. (3) Methods: A single 24-h food record with repeats collected during the 2021 Australian Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (OzFITS 2021) was used to estimate dietary choline intake. (4) Results: The mean choline intake was 142 ± 1.9 mg/day in infants and 181 ± 1.2 mg/day in toddlers. Only 35% of infants and 23% of toddlers exceeded the AI for choline based on Nutrient Reference Values (NRVs) for Australia and New Zealand. Breastmilk was the leading source of choline, contributing 42% and 14% of total choline intake in infants and toddlers, respectively; however, egg consumers had the highest adjusted choline intakes and probability of exceeding the AI. (5) Conclusions: Findings suggest that choline intake may be suboptimal in Australian infants and toddlers. Further research to examine the impact of low choline intake on child development is warranted.