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. 2016 Jan;51(1):7-13.
doi: 10.1097/NT.0000000000000137. Epub 2016 Jan 28.

Historical Overview of Transitional Feeding Recommendations and Vegetable Feeding Practices for Infants and Young Children

Ronald E Kleinman  1 , Frances A Coletta  1
Affiliations

Historical Overview of Transitional Feeding Recommendations and Vegetable Feeding Practices for Infants and Young Children

Ronald E Kleinman et al. Nutr Today. 2016 Jan.

Abstract

Although recommendations for introducing solid foods to infants and young children have changed significantly since the beginning of the 20th century, vegetable consumption recommendations have always been an important part of the child-feeding repertoire. In 1958, the first report of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Committee on Nutrition stated that developmental maturity of the gut and neuromuscular system, growth rate, and activity level were good indicators for determining when to introduce solid foods to infants than age. All 7 editions of the AAP Pediatric Nutrition Handbook use an evidence-based model for recommendations concerning the complementary feeding of infants and young children. The model includes developmental readiness principles, feeding practices, and age-appropriate nutrient requirements. Dietary patterns and nutrient consumption among infants and young children have been analyzed using data from the 2002 and 2008 Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS). The 2008 FITS also collected information concerning participation in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Since 1972, WIC has been a cost-effective means of improving the diets and health of infants and young children from low-income families. Data from the 2008 FITS showed that many young children did not consume recommended amounts of fiber or potassium, and vegetable and fruit intakes continued to be lower than recommended. Low vegetable consumption and limited variety were also seen among WIC participants and nonparticipants aged 6 months to 4 years prior to changes in the WIC food package. Increasing children's consumption of all vegetables should continue to be a focus going forward.

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Conflict of interest statement

R.E.K. is a member of a Scientific Advisory Board for General Mills and the Scientific Advisory Council for the Alliance for Potato Research and Education. F.A.C. is a paid consultant to Alliance for Potato Research and Education; she has no other potential conflicts of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Feeding recommendations for children from birth to 12 months: 1928, 1942, and 1959.,,
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Changes in earliest age recommendations for introduction of green vegetables and potatoes to children from birth to 36 months in 11 editions of Holt’s Diseases of Infancy and Childhood.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Evidence-based model of complementary feeding recommendations for infants and young children.,–
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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