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Submitted to: Nutrition Today
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 8/4/2016 Publication Date: 3/31/2017 Citation: Moshfegh, A.J., Rhodes, D.G., Goldman, J.D., Clemens, J.C. 2017. Characterizing the dietary landscape of children, 12 to 35 months old. Nutrition Today. 52(2):S52-S59. doi: 10.1097/NT.0000000000000197. Interpretive Summary: Energy intake by U.S. toddlers in 2011-2012 was 1,335 calories per day. Snack occasions contributed one-third of daily energy, more than breakfast, lunch or dinner. Nearly one-half of toddlers had 3-4 snack occasions per day and 16 percent had 5+ snack occasions. Among toddlers, the nutrients from food and beverage intake falling short of recommendations include vitamin D, vitamin E, dietary fiber, and potassium. Sodium far exceeded the recommendation. Added sugars intake of toddlers was 10 percent of daily energy intake, in line with the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Beverages were an important component in dietary intakes of toddlers, contributing one-fourth of daily energy. Although milk was the top beverage consumed, about 1 in 5 toddlers did not consume milk on the intake day. Soft drinks were consumed by 14 percent of toddlers and the average amount consumed per day was about half of a 12-ounce can. The intake of fruit and vegetables during these early years of life is an important behavior to establish life-long healthy eating patterns. The proportion of toddlers that did not consume a fruit (30 percent) was the same as the proportion that did consume candy. The proportion that did not consume a vegetable (43 percent) was the same as the proportion that did consume a cake, cookie, or pastry. In 2011-2012 WWEIA, NHANES, the dietary intakes of toddlers were meeting recommendations for many nutrients. However, the consumption of food and beverage choices that were not nutrient-dense was of concern. These less healthy choices, introduced at this early age, may have an effect on shaping dietary habits across the lifespan. Technical Abstract: Dietary patterns in childhood are one of several factors that influence food and beverage choices later in life. Nationally representative dietary data of U.S. children age 1 and 2 year (toddlers) (n=469) participating in the What We Eat in America component of the 2011-2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed to assess food, beverage, and nutrient intakes. Energy intake by toddlers was 1,335 calories per day. Nutrients from dietary intakes falling short of recommendations included vitamin D, vitamin E, dietary fiber, and potassium. Sodium far exceeded the recommendation. Added sugars intake of toddlers was 10 percent of daily energy intake. Mean daily snack occasions by toddlers was 3.1, contributing one-third of daily energy intake. Beverages contributed one-fourth of daily energy intake. Milk, water, and 100% juice were the top beverages consumed by toddlers. Soft drinks were consumed by 14 percent of toddlers. Grain products, protein foods, and mixed dishes were each consumed by at least three-fourth of the toddlers. A greater proportion of toddlers consumed fruit (71 percent) compared to vegetables (57 percent). Nearly 1 in 3 toddlers consumed candy and 2 in 3 consumed cakes, cookies, or pastries. More than one-third consumed savory items including chips, popcorn, or pretzels and an equal proportion consumed crackers. While the dietary intakes of toddlers were meeting recommendations for many nutrients, the consumption of food and beverage choices that were not nutrient-dense was of concern. These less healthy choices, introduced at this early age, may have an effect on shaping dietary habits across the lifespan. |
