Child malnutrition is a significant global health problem, encompassing micronutrient deficiencies, stunting, underweight, wasting, overweight, obesity, and metabolic health issues. While undernutrition has decreased, millions of children still suffer from these conditions, particularly in Asia and Africa. Animal-source foods (ASF) are rich in essential nutrients, offering benefits for growth and development. However, different ASF have varying environmental impacts and health consequences in adulthood. Existing data on ASF consumption in children and adolescents aged 5–14 years are limited, particularly regarding sociodemographic variations. This study aimed to fill this knowledge gap by examining ASF intake among children and adolescents, considering age, sex, parental education, urbanicity, country, and region between 1990 and 2018, using data from the Global Dietary Database (GDD) and Bayesian modeling.

The literature highlights the importance of animal-source foods (ASF) in children's and adolescents' diets. ASF are rich in essential amino acids, fatty acids, and micronutrients often deficient in low-income countries. Studies show that animal protein supplementation improves growth outcomes, but also highlight the environmental impact of ASF production, particularly red meat. Existing global reports on ASF intake lack detailed information by age and sociodemographic factors. This research aimed to address this gap by providing comprehensive estimates.

This study leveraged the Global Dietary Database (GDD), which comprises data from over 400 individual-level dietary surveys worldwide. The GDD data was standardized to ensure comparability across surveys. Bayesian hierarchical models were employed to account for missing data, heterogeneity, sampling uncertainty, and survey method differences. The models included random effects for country and region and were stratified by age (<1, 1-2, 3-4, 5-9, 10-14, 15-19 years), sex, parental education, and urbanicity. The models generated estimates of mean intake of various ASF (milk, cheese, yogurt, eggs, seafood, unprocessed red meat, and processed meat) for each stratum across 185 countries for 1990 and 2018. Population weights from the United Nations were used to calculate global, regional, and national intakes. Standardized portion sizes were applied to convert grams per day to servings per day or week. Spearman correlations were used to analyze relationships between ASF intakes. Differences in consumption between subgroups and over time were determined using posterior predictions from the models. The study was exempt from ethical review board approval as it used published, de-identified data sets.

In 2018, the global mean intake of total ASF among children and adolescents was approximately 1.9 servings per day. This varied considerably across regions, ranging from less than 1 serving per day in South Asia to over 4 servings per day in Central/Eastern Europe and Central Asia. ASF consumption showed substantial age-related variation, with intake increasing with age. Milk contributed significantly to total ASF servings in younger age groups. Cheese, seafood, and yogurt contributed the least. Higher ASF consumption was associated with higher parental education levels and urban residence. Between 1990 and 2018, global mean total ASF consumption increased by 0.5 servings per week. Increases were seen in all regions except sub-Saharan Africa. Regional variations in trends for specific ASF were substantial, with some showing increases and others decreases, with populous countries like Brazil, China, Vietnam, and Mexico displaying notable increases in total ASF consumption. The increases in total ASF consumption were higher in older age groups. Regional differences were found for all ASF types by parental education level and urban vs. rural residence, generally favoring higher consumption among those in urban areas and from higher-educated families. Notable exceptions and considerable variations in intake of specific ASF such as unprocessed red meat and processed meat were identified within countries.

This study presents comprehensive estimates of ASF consumption among children and adolescents globally, revealing significant heterogeneity. Lower ASF intake in younger children highlights the importance of early interventions. The observed disparities in consumption based on parental education and urbanicity underscore the need for targeted interventions that address socioeconomic factors affecting dietary choices. The varying trends in different ASF consumption across regions call for tailored strategies that consider local food systems, cultural practices, and environmental concerns. The study's findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, public health professionals, and researchers.

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of global ASF consumption among children and adolescents, highlighting significant regional and sociodemographic variations. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to improve ASF consumption, particularly in low-income countries, while acknowledging environmental concerns regarding certain ASF types. Future research should investigate the specific factors influencing ASF consumption within various contexts and evaluate the effectiveness of targeted interventions to improve nutritional outcomes and environmental sustainability.

Despite its extensive scope, this study has limitations. Data availability was limited for some ASF subtypes, age groups, countries, and years. Variability in survey design and dietary assessment methods required standardization decisions, which might introduce some bias. The exclusion of poultry might underestimate total ASF consumption, especially in regions with high poultry consumption. Furthermore, the study did not account for breastfeeding or formula use in infants, and individual-level dietary surveys are susceptible to sampling and measurement biases.