Secular trends in dietary energy, carbohydrate, protein and fat intake among Korean children and adolescents

Objective: We aimed to analyse the evolving trends in macronutrient intake and dietary composition among Korean children and adolescents over a 10-year period.Design: We utilised cross-sectional data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) spanning the years 2010-2020. Overall, the study included 11 861 participants aged 6-18 years who completed the 24-h dietary recall survey. Subsequently, we assessed trends in energy consumption and macronutrient intake across population subgroups, including age, sex and obesity status. Survey-weighted linear regression was employed to determine the beta coefficient and P-value for trends in dietary nutrient consumption, treating the survey year as a continuous variable.Setting: KNHANES from 2010 to 2020.Participants: 11 861 children and adolescents aged 6-18 years.Results: Total energy intake significantly decreased across the 10-year survey period, with a corresponding decline in the percentage of energy intake from carbohydrates. Conversely, the proportion of energy intake from fat increased during the same period. Subgroup analysis revealed changes in the composition of energy intake across age, sex and obesity status, with a consistent increase in total fat intake observed across all subgroups. Upon analysing data on dietary fibres, total sugars and fat subtypes intake, we found insufficient dietary fibre intake and increased intake of all fat subtypes.Conclusions: This study underscores the gradually changing dietary intake patterns among Korean children and adolescents. Our findings revealed that these transitions in dietary nutrient consumption may pose potential risks of diet-related diseases in the future.