Health · Medical Research · 3 hrs ago
Study finds excess protein and nutrient gaps in young Argentine children
A study by Argentina’s ISALUD University examined the diets of 496 children up to age three in the Buenos Aires metropolitan area, Córdoba, Mendoza and Rosario.
Researchers tracked the children’s food and drink for four days to assess calories, protein and several essential nutrients.
More than half consumed more protein than recommended, and children aged 13 to 36 months consumed between three and five times the recommended amount for their body weight.
At the same time, vitamin D, iron and calcium were the nutrients most often below recommended levels, with gaps affecting 10% to 35% of the children depending on the nutrient.
These findings show that enough calories do not guarantee a balanced diet, which matters because young children need a range of nutrients as they grow.
The imbalances were more common among children who drank cow’s milk, and their average calorie intake also exceeded recommendations by more than it did among children consuming infant formula.
The study does not say what should happen next, but its researchers say both the quality and the amount of food matter.
A study by Universidad ISALUD found that more than half of the young children assessed consumed more protein than recommended.
Some children also fell short of recommended amounts of vitamin D, iron and calcium.
The study included 496 children up to 36 months old from the Buenos Aires metropolitan area, Córdoba, Mendoza and Rosario.
Among children aged 13 to 36 months, protein intake was three to five times the recommended amount based on body weight.
The findings highlight that sufficient calories do not necessarily mean a child’s diet provides enough essential nutrients.
- Who
- Universidad ISALUD researchers assessed 496 children up to 36 months old.
- What
- The study found excess protein intake alongside gaps in essential nutrients among some children.
- When
- Published on October 22, 2026. The study’s assessment period is not stated.
- Where
- The Buenos Aires metropolitan area, Córdoba, Mendoza and Rosario, Argentina.
- Why
- The researchers examined children’s food and drink intake to assess energy, protein and nutrient levels.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Researchers analyzed the children’s food and drink consumption over four days.
Infobae published the findings of the Universidad ISALUD study.
- Participants
- 496 children up to 36 months old
- Study locations
- Buenos Aires metropolitan area, Córdoba, Mendoza and Rosario
- Protein intake
- More than half of assessed children exceeded the recommendation
- Protein levels
- Children aged 13 to 36 months consumed three to five times the recommended amount based on body weight
- Nutrients with largest gaps
- Vitamin D, iron and calcium
What people are saying
Uno de los aspectos más interesantes del estudio es que obliga a dejar de pensar la nutrición infantil solo en términos de cantidad. Encontramos niños con un aporte elevado de energía y proteínas que, al mismo tiempo, no necesariamente alcanzaban cantidades adecuadas de micronutrientes esenciales
Que un niño reciba suficientes calorías o crezca adecuadamente no nos dice por sí solo todo lo que necesitamos saber sobre la calidad de su alimentación