title: New findings from the Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study 2008.
abstract: The purpose of this chapter is to describe the infant feeding practices among infants and toddlers (aged 0-24 months) and to describe food group consumption patterns of these infants and young children (0-48 months) participating in the 2008 Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS). The FITS 2008 is a cross-sectional survey of a national sample of US children (n = 3,273). Results indicate a longer duration of breastfeeding; however, 17% of infants received cow's milk before the recommended age of one year. Introduction of complementary foods also appears to be delayed until about 4-6 months. There was a decline in consumption of infant cereal after 8 months that may be contributing to iron deficiencies in the 9-11 months age group. Consumption of 100% juice (particularly among infants) and the daily consumption of desserts or candy, sweetened beverages (particularly among 12-to 20-month-olds), and salty snacks is lower than in the 2002 survey. Overall, 10-20 and 30% of children were not consuming any fruit or vegetable, respectively, in a given day. More preschoolers were drinking 2% milk than whole milk, but about one third were still drinking whole milk. Despite some of these positive changes, improvements in young children's diet still are needed.
authors: Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
authors: Anna Maria
authors: AM
authors: Siega-Riz
authors: Alan
authors: A
authors: Kinlaw
authors: Denise M
authors: DM
authors: Deming
authors: Kathleen C
authors: KC
authors: Reidy
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001628:Beverages; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D002523:Edible Grain; D005248:Feeding Methods; D005638:Fruit; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food; D008892:Milk; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D014481:United States; D014675:Vegetables