title: Dietary associations of fathers and their children between the ages of 20 months and 5 years.
abstract: To examine associations between dietary intakes of fathers and their children at child age 20 months, 3·5 years and 5 years, and to determine if fathers' intake predicts change in children's intake between 20 months and 3·5 and 5 years of age.
  
  
  
  The diets of fathers and their first-born children participating in the longitudinal Melbourne Infant Feeding Activity and Nutrition Trial (InFANT) Program were assessed using FFQ and three 24 h recalls, respectively.
  
  
  
  Sixty-two pre-existing first-time parent groups were selected from fourteen local government areas within a 60 km radius of Deakin University Burwood, Victoria, Australia.
  
  
  
  Fathers and their first-born children at 20 months (n 317), 3·5 years (n 214) and 5 years of age (n 208).
  
  
  
  Positive associations were found between fathers' and children's intakes of fruit and sweet snacks at 20 months (P=0·001) and 5 years of age (P=0·012). Fathers' intake at child age 20 months was associated with change in children's intake for fruit, sweet snacks and sugar-sweetened beverages between child age 20 months and 3·5 years, and for sweet snacks and sugar-sweetened beverages between child age 20 months and 5 years (all P<0·05). After adjustment for maternal intake, fathers' intake of sweet snacks remained a predictor of change in children's sweet snack intake between 20 months and 3·5 years of age (P=0·03).
  
  
  
  Associations between the dietary intakes of fathers and their children commence at a young age and continue through early childhood. Fathers should be included in future interventions aimed at improving children's diets.
authors.affiliation: 1Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research,School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences,Deakin University,221 Burwood Highway,Burwood,VIC 3125,Australia.
authors.forename: Adam D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.affiliation: 2School of Health and Social Development,Deakin University,Burwood,Victoria,Australia.
authors.forename: Adrian J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Cameron
authors.affiliation: 1Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research,School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences,Deakin University,221 Burwood Highway,Burwood,VIC 3125,Australia.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Crawford
authors.affiliation: 1Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research,School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences,Deakin University,221 Burwood Highway,Burwood,VIC 3125,Australia.
authors.forename: Kylie D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Hesketh
authors.affiliation: 1Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research,School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences,Deakin University,221 Burwood Highway,Burwood,VIC 3125,Australia.
authors.forename: Karen J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Campbell
mesh_terms: D001628:Beverages; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004032:Diet; D000073417:Dietary Sugars; D005220:Fathers; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D062410:Snacks; D014739:Victoria
chemical_list: D000073417:Dietary Sugars
keywords: Diet; Fathers; Sugar-sweetened beverages; Young children