Abstract
Dietary fibres are resistant to digestion and absorption. Prebiotics are fermentable dietary fibres that confer health benefits through their effects on microbiome composition and activity. The range of physiological benefits from consuming dietary fibres is broad. Encouraging children to eat fibre-rich foods promotes a nutrient-dense diet. Introducing a variety of dietary fibre sources to young children helps establish future dietary choices and a more diverse intestinal microbiota. Low-fibre intake is associated with a higher prevalence of constipation and obesity.
Keywords: Children, Dietary fibre, Microbiome, Prebiotics
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CANADIAN PAEDIATRIC SOCIETY NUTRITION AND GASTROENTEROLOGY COMMITTEE
Members: Linda M. Casey MD, Eddy Lau MD (Board Representative), Catherine M. Pound MD (Chair), Ana M. Sant’Anna MD, Pushpa Sathya MD, Christopher Tomlinson MB, ChB, PhD
Liaisons: Becky Blair MSc RD, Dietitians of Canada; Patricia D’Onghia MPH RD, Health Canada; Tanis R. Fenton PhD RD, Dietitians of Canada; Laura Haiek, Breastfeeding Committee for Canada; Deborah Hayward, Bureau of Nutritional Sciences, Health Canada; Sarah Lawrence MD, Canadian Pediatric Endocrine Group
Principal author: Dana Boctor MD