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. 2018 Sep 1;148(suppl_3):1525S-1535S.
doi: 10.1093/jn/nxy171.

Food Consumption Patterns of Infants and Toddlers: Findings from the Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS) 2016

Amira A Roess  1 , Emma F Jacquier  2 , Diane J Catellier  3 , Ryan Carvalho  4 , Anne C Lutes  3 , Andrea S Anater  3 , William H Dietz  1
Affiliations

Food Consumption Patterns of Infants and Toddlers: Findings from the Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS) 2016

Amira A Roess et al. J Nutr. .

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes continues to increase. These conditions disproportionately affect minorities and are associated with poor nutrition early in life. Current food-consumption patterns can inform pending dietary guidelines for infants and toddlers.

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe infant feeding, complementary feeding, and food and beverage consumption patterns of 0- to 23.9-mo-olds in the general population.

Methods: The Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study 2016 is a cross-sectional survey of caregivers of children aged <4 y. Dietary data were collected from a national random sample by using a 24-h dietary recall (n = 3235). The percentage of children consuming foods from >400 food groups was calculated. Differences in the percentage consuming between Hispanic, non-Hispanic white, and non-Hispanic black children aged 0-23.9 mo were evaluated with the use of ORs and 95% CIs.

Results: Eighty-three percent of 0- to 23.9-mo-olds (n = 2635) were ever breastfed, 34% of 0- to 3.9-mo-olds (n = 305) and 15% of 4- to 5.9-mo-olds (n = 295) were exclusively breastfed, and 24% of 12- to 14.9-mo-olds (n = 412) consumed breast milk on the day of the recall. Complementary foods were more likely to be introduced before 4 mo in formula-fed infants (27%) than in infants who did not consume formula (5%). Half of 4- to 5.9-mo-olds consumed iron-fortified infant cereal, but few consumed iron-rich meats. Among toddlers (12-23.9 mo; n = 1133), >20% consumed no servings of fruit or vegetables on the day of the recall, approximately half consumed 100% fruit juice, and one-quarter to one-third consumed a sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB).

Conclusions: Breastfeeding initiation and duration have improved, but exclusivity remains low. Low consumption of iron-rich foods, fruit, and vegetables and lack of variety in vegetable consumption are problems. Efforts to reduce the consumption of SSBs and 100% fruit juice are warranted in early childhood.

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Current and exclusive breastfeeding rates by race and ethnicity, from FITS 2016 feeding practices questionnaire. Lines represent HP 2020 goals (38) for exclusive breastfeeding at ages 3 (0–3.9-mo columns) and 6 (4–5.9-mo columns; solid line) mo and for any breastfeeding at ages 6 (4–5.9-mo columns; dashed line) and 12 (9–11.9-mo columns) mo. No HP 2020 goals are set for breastfeeding at age 9 mo. See Table 1 for sample sizes. FITS, Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study; Hisp., Hispanic; HP, Healthy People; NHB, non-Hispanic black; NHW, non-Hispanic white.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Percentages of infants consuming complementary foods by age, from FITS 2016 24-h dietary recall. *May include other grains; **excludes cheese and yogurt; †excludes fruit juice; ††includes sugar-sweetened beverages. See Table 1 for sample sizes. FITS, Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study.
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