The Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study 2008: Study Design and Methods (original) (raw)
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Dietary Patterns of Infants and Toddlers Are Associated with Nutrient Intakes
Nutrients, 2012
Dietary patterns are a useful summary measure of diet. Few studies have examined the nutrient profiles underpinning the dietary patterns of young children. The study aim is to determine whether dietary patterns at 6 and 15 months of age are associated with nutrient intakes at 8 and 18 months, respectively. Participants were children from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children who had complete dietary pattern and nutrient intake data (n = 725 at 6-8 months, n = 535 at 15-18 months). The association between tertiles of dietary pattern scores and nutrient intake was examined using a non-parametric test for trend. Scores on the home-made traditional pattern (6-8 months) were positively associated with median energy intake. Each dietary pattern had different associations with energy-adjusted intakes of macro-and micro-nutrients. At both times, the discretionary pattern was positively and the ready-prepared baby foods pattern was negatively associated with sodium intake. At 6-8 months, calcium and iron intakes decreased across scores on the home-made traditional and breastfeeding patterns, but increased across the ready-prepared baby food patterns. These findings highlight that dietary patterns in infants and toddlers vary in their underlying energy and nutrient composition. OPEN ACCESS Nutrients 2012, 4 936
Nutrient Intakes of US Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers Meet or Exceed Dietary Reference Intakes
2010
Objectives To assess the usual nutrient intakes of 3,273 US infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, aged 0 to 47 months, surveyed in the Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS) 2008; and to compare data on the usual nutrient intakes for the two waves of FITS conducted in 2002 and 2008. Design The FITS 2008 is a cross-sectional survey of a national random sample of US children from birth through age 47 months. Usual nutrient intakes derived from foods, beverages, and supplements were ascertained using a telephone-administered, multiple-pass 24-hour dietary recall. Subjects Infants aged birth to 5 months (nϭ382) and 6 to 11 months (nϭ505), toddlers aged 12 to 23 months (nϭ925), and preschoolers aged 24 to 47 months (nϭ1,461) were surveyed. Methods All primary caregivers completed one 24-hour dietary recall and a random subsample (nϭ701) com-pleted a second 24-hour dietary recall. The personal computer version of the Software for Intake Distribution Estimation was used to estimate the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentiles, as well as the proportions below and above cutoff values defined by the Dietary Reference Intakes or the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Results Usual nutrient intakes met or exceeded energy and protein requirements with minimal risk of vitamin and mineral deficiencies. The usual intakes of antioxidants, B vitamins, bone-related nutrients, and other micronutrients were adequate relative to the Adequate Intakes or Estimated Average Requirements, except for iron and zinc in a small subset of older infants, and vitamin E and potassium in toddlers and preschoolers. Intakes of synthetic folate, preformed vitamin A, zinc, and sodium exceeded Tolerable Upper Intake Level in a significant proportion of toddlers and preschoolers. Macronutrient distributions were within acceptable macronutrient distribution ranges, except for dietary fat, in some toddlers and preschoolers. Dietary fiber was low in the vast majority of toddlers and preschoolers, and saturated fat intakes exceeded recommendations for the majority of preschoolers. The prevalence of inadequate intakes, excessive intake, and intakes outside the acceptable macronutrient distribution range was similar in FITS 2002 and FITS 2008. Conclusions In FITS 2008 nutrient intakes were adequate for the majority of US infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, except for a small but important number of infants at risk for inadequate iron and zinc intakes. Diet quality should be improved in the transition from infancy to early childhood, particularly with respect to healthier fats and fiber in the diets of toddlers and preschoolers.
AIMS Public Health, 2015
Little is known about the development of dietary patterns during toddlerhood and the relation to growth and health. The study objective was to characterise the development of dietary patterns from 9-36 mo of age and investigate the association to body size, body composition and metabolic risk markers at 36 mo. Food records were filled out at 9, 18 and 36 mo of age (n = 229). Dietary patterns were identified by principal component analysis (PCA). Three dietary patterns were identified: Transition Food, Healthy Food and Traditional Food. The course of development in dietary patterns from 9-36 mo indicated tracking for a relatively large group of participants in the three patterns. Transition Food and Healthy Food were associated with some of the investigated outcomes. Children with lower adherence to the Transition Food pattern than average at 18 and 36 mo irrespectively of intake at 9 mo had higher BMI z-scores at 36 mo. Similar trend was identified for higher fat mass indices. Children with lower adherence to the Healthy Food pattern than average at all three ages compared to children with higher adherence to the Healthy Food pattern at the first two registrations, 9 and 18 mo had higher total cholesterol and LDL. Hence, this could represent undesirable development of dietary patterns in toddlers. In conclusion, development of dietary patterns can be exploratory characterised by PCA and related to potential cardiovascular risk markers 333 AIMS Public Health Volume 2, Issue 3, 332-357 in toddlers even within a relatively homogeneous population with a high socioeconomic status. The tracking of dietary patterns from 9 mo of age indicates a need for early and sustained promotion of healthy diets.
Position of the American Dietetic Association: Benchmarks for Nutrition in Child Care
Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 2011
It is the position of the American Dietetic Association that child-care programs should achieve recommended benchmarks for meeting children's nutrition needs in a safe, sanitary, and supportive environment that promotes optimal growth and development. Use of child care has become increasingly common and is now the norm for the majority of families in the United States. Therefore, it is essential that registered dietitians; dietetic technicians, registered; and other food and nutrition practitioners work in partnership with child-care providers and families of children in child care to meet children's nutrition needs and provide them with models of healthful eating and active lifestyles. This Position Paper provides guidance for food and nutrition practitioners, health professionals, and child-care providers regarding recommendations for nutritional quality of foods and beverages served; menus, meal patterns, and portion sizes; food preparation and service; physical and social environment; nutrition training; nutrition consultation; physical activity and active play; and working with families. This Position Paper targets children aged 2 to 5 years attending child-care programs and highlights opportunities for food and nutrition practitioners to promote healthful eating in child care through both intervention and policy-based initiatives.
Feeding infants and toddlers study: overview of the study design
Journal of The American Dietetic Association, 2004
Objective Describe the design, data collection procedures, and sample characteristics of the Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study. Design We conducted up to three telephone interviews with a random sample of parents or caregivers of infants and toddlers four to 24 months of age from March to July 2002. The three interviews included (a) a recruitment and household interview; (b) a 24-hour dietary recall, with supplementary questions on growth, development, and feeding patterns; and (c) a second dietary recall for a random subset of the sample. Two age subgroups of infants (four to six months and nine to 11 months) were over sampled. Sample weights adjusted for over sampling, nonresponse, and under coverage of some subgroups in the sample frame. Subjects A national random sample of 3,022 infants and toddlers, with two days of dietary recall available for 703 sample members. Results Of sampled households that could be located and had an eligible child in the study age range, the response rate to the recruitment interview was 73%. Of recruited households, the response rate for the dietary recall interview was 94%. Applications/Conclusions The Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS) provides a wealth of data on the food and nutrient intakes, background characteristics, growth and development milestones, and feeding patterns and transitions for a nationally representative sample of infants and toddlers. Subsequent papers in this journal issue present study findings and conclusions from in-depth analysis of the FITS data.
Young Child Nutrition: Knowledge and Surveillance Gaps across the Spectrum of Feeding
Nutrients
The first 1000 days is a critical window to optimize nutrition. Young children, particularly 12–24 month-olds, are an understudied population. Young children have unique nutrient needs and reach important developmental milestones when those needs are met. Intriguingly, there are differences in the dietary patterns and recommendations for young children in the US vs. globally, notably for breastfeeding practices, nutrient and food guidelines, and young child formulas (YCFs)/toddler drinks. This perspective paper compares these differences in young child nutrition and identifies both knowledge gaps and surveillance gaps to be filled. Parental perceptions, feeding challenges, and nutrition challenges are also discussed. Ultimately, collaboration among academia and clinicians, the private sector, and the government will help close young child nutrition gaps in both the US and globally.
Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism, 2013
The latest exhaustive survey of dietary patterns in infants from the Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS) in North America documents and quantifies current trends in infant feeding. These include higher than generally recommended energy, protein, and saturated fat intakes. The majority of infants are bottle fed at some point in their first year of life, and their weaning diet often includes low intakes of fruits and vegetables, with high starchy, rather than green or yellow, vegetables. Early introduction of solids, use of cow's milk prior to 1 year of age, and high juice intake in the first 2 years - all less desirable diet practices - are improving, but are still prevalent. More preschoolers are likely to get sweets or sweetened beverages than a serving of fruit or a vegetable on a given day. These food intake patterns mimic the adult American diet and are associated with an increased risk of obesity in childhood and later life. But more importantly, these patterns appear...
Dietary Patterns Track from Infancy to Preschool Age: Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Perspectives
The Journal of Nutrition, 2015
Background: Although it has been suggested that dietary patterns emerge early in life, less is known about the extent to which they track through the toddler and preschool ages. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to derive cross-sectional dietary patterns at 2, 3, and 5 y of age and assess their correlations and to derive multi-time point dietary patterns from ages 2-5 y and assess their associations with sociodemographic factors and infant feeding patterns. Methods: Depending on the age considered, analyses included 989-1422 children from the EDEN (Étude des Déterminants pré-et postnatals précoces du développement et de la santé de lÕENfant) mother-child cohort. Dietary intake was collected with the use of food-frequency questionnaires at 2, 3, and 5 y of age. Principal component analyses were applied to these data, first cross-sectionally at each age, then longitudinally accounting for the data collected at all 3 ages. Tracking between patterns was estimated by Spearman correlation coefficients and associations with either the infant feeding patterns or the demographic and socioeconomic factors were assessed with the use of multivariable linear regression analyses. Results: Overall, we derived 2 main cross-sectional patterns labeled ''Processed and fast foods'' and ''Guidelines,'' the latter being characterized by intakes approximating age-specific dietary guidelines; and 2 multi-time point dietary patterns that corresponded to consistent exposures to similar foods across the 3 ages. The first, labeled ''Processed and fast foods at 2, 3, and 5 y,'' was inversely associated with maternal education and age, and positively associated with the presence of older siblings. The second, called ''Guidelines at 2, 3, and 5 y,'' was predicted by maternal education. Moderate tracking was observed between similar patterns assessed at different ages. Conclusions: Our findings confirmed the emergence of dietary profiles socially differentiated early in life as well as a moderate tracking of the diet. The promotion of healthy dietary trajectories should be encouraged as early as infancy, in particular in the presence of older siblings and among the most socially disadvantaged population groups.