Optimal nutrition during early childhood is crucial for psychosomatic development and for preventing diet-related diseases. However, evidence from Poland highlights significant deviations from recommended dietary practices. The previous Polish Infants and Toddler Nutritional Study conducted in 2016 (PITNUTS 2016) revealed imbalances in nutrient intake among children aged 5–36 months. The aim of this study (PITNUTS 2024) is to assess the diet and nutritional status of infants and children aged 5–72 months, providing a broader understanding of eating behaviours across critical stages of growth and development and allowing evaluation of how dietary practices changed in recent years.

This cross-sectional study will recruit a nationally representative sample of Polish infants and children aged 5 to 72 months using stratified random sampling. Survey interviews will be conducted with parents or legal guardians as proxy reporters for the children. Dietary practices will be evaluated through validated qualitative and quantitative dietary assessments, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of food consumption and energy and nutrient intake. Dietary data will be collected using the 3 day food record and the survey questionnaire, including a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Daily energy and nutrient intake will be compared with national dietary standards and WHO guidelines. Dietary patterns will be derived based on the FFQ data. Nutritional status will be assessed based on measured anthropometric parameters. Energy, macro- and micronutrient intake as well as dietary patterns identified among children will be associated with nutritional status, including body mass index z-score and body weight status.

The study has been approved by the ethics board of the Institute of Mother and Child. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants’ parents or legal guardians before the interviews began. The results from this study will be presented at scientific conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals, contributing to nutrition policies in Poland and informing educational materials and dietary consultation services.

NCT06417151, results.