| The final aim of this research study was to contribute to the recent knowledge about the impact of dietary fibre in the diet of children younger than three years of age on the bioavailability of calcium, iron, and zinc. First of all it appears that dietary fibre negatively affected calcium, iron, and zinc availability in vitro in foodstuffs marketed for use by infants and toddlers. Secondly, it appears that the average Belgian diet of children younger than three years however was conform to the PRI values for Belgium, with exception of the iron intakes for children after the weaning period. Thirdly, it appears that the average Belgian diet of these children provided considerable amounts of dietary fibre, which were probably too high for this age group. Therefore, we think that the impact of dietary fibre on the bioavailability of calcium, iron and zinc in children younger than three years of age is of highly nutritional significancy. Young children may easily develop mineral and trace element deficiencies if their bioavailability from the diet is too low. |
