Compensation consumption of high-energy-density food among pre-school children leading to suboptimal intake of recommended food groups: Case study in Hong Kong

The food environment in Hong Kong is influenced more strongly by global trends than traditional Chinese cultural practices, as Hong Kong is a well-developed territory that is almost totally reliant on food importation. As children age, their food intake becomes increasingly responsive to environmental, social and cultural influences, and energy compensation (reducing consumption of other food with increased intake of high-energy-density food) becomes more marked with age. Compensation could easily lead to reduction of recommended levels of intake of fruit and vegetables, protein and dairy products. Data reflecting eating behaviours among pre-school children would alert public health experts for intervention. A previous territory-wide study in Hong Kong revealed a high prevalence of unhealthy eating behaviours among primary and secondary school students. Data reflecting pre-school children would be useful to plan for public health intervention. [Copyright Elsevier B.V.]