BackgroundThe US Dietary Guidelines will expand in 2020 to include infants and toddlers. Understanding current dietary intakes is critical to inform policy.ObjectiveThe purpose of this analysis was to examine the usual total nutrient intakes from diet and supplements among US children.MethodsThe Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study 2016 is a national cross-sectional study of children aged <48 mo (n = 3235): younger infants (birth to 5.9 mo), older infants (6–11.9 mo), toddlers (12–23.9 mo), younger preschoolers (24–36.9 mo), and older preschoolers (36–47.9 mo) based on the use of a 24-h dietary recall. A second 24-h recall was collected from a representative subsample (n = 799). Energy, total nutrient intake distributions, and compliance with Dietary Reference Intakes were estimated with the use of the National Cancer Institute method.ResultsDietary supplement use was 15–23% among infants and toddlers and 35–45% among preschoolers. Dietary intakes of infants were adequate, with mean intakes exceeding Adequate Intake for all nutrients except vitamins D and E. Iron intakes fell below the Estimated Average Requirement for older infants (18%). We found that 31–33% of children aged 12–47.9 mo had low percentage of energy from total fat, and >60% of children aged 24–47.9 mo exceeded the saturated fat guidelines. The likelihood of nutrient inadequacy for many nutrients was higher for toddlers: 3.2% and 2.5% greater than the Adequate Intake for fiber and potassium and 76% and 52% less than the Estimated Average Requirement for vitamins D and E, respectively. These patterns continued through older ages. Intakes exceeded the Tolerable Upper Intake Level of sodium, retinol, and zinc across most age groups.ConclusionsDietary intakes of US infants are largely nutritionally adequate; concern exists over iron intakes in those aged 6–11.9 mo. For toddlers and preschoolers, high intake of sodium and low intakes of potassium, fiber, and vitamin D and, for preschoolers, excess saturated fat are of concern. Excess retinol, zinc, and folic acid was noted across most ages, especially among supplement users.

BackgroundThe 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.ObjectiveThe 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.MethodsThe 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.ResultsEighty-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).ConclusionsBreastfeeding 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.

BackgroundHealthy food consumption patterns in early childhood support optimal growth and development and promote lifelong health.ObjectiveThe objective of the Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS) 2016 is to provide updated information on food consumption patterns of children aged 0 to <4 y. This article focuses on several key aspects of the food consumption patterns of 2- and 3-y-olds and how those patterns differ between racial/ethnic groups.MethodsThe FITS 2016 is a cross-sectional study in caregivers of children aged 0 to <4 y living in the United States. Dietary data were collected in a national random sample of children (n = 3235, of whom 600 were aged 24–47.9 mo) by using a 24-h dietary recall telephone survey with the primary caregiver of the child. Data from the recall were used to calculate the percentage of children consuming specific food groups on the day of the recall and energy from these foods (kilocalories per consumer). Differences in food patterns between racial/ethnic groups were analyzed by using ANOVA and t tests.ResultsOn the day of the 24-h dietary recall, 27% of 2- and 3-y-olds did not consume a distinct portion of vegetables. Fried potatoes were the most commonly consumed vegetable. Approximately 75% consumed a distinct portion of fruit and 45% consumed 100% fruit juice. Eighty-one percent of children consumed cow milk. Almost all (95%) consumed a grain product, and 59% consumed a whole grain–rich product. The majority of children (88%) consumed meat or another protein food. Nearly all (90%) consumed a dessert, sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB), or sweet; and 45% consumed an SSB. Thirty-six percent of children consumed a savory snack. There were some differences in food consumption patterns between racial/ethnic groups.ConclusionFindings from the FITS 2016 indicate that individual-, community-, and policy-level strategies are needed to improve the diets of young children in the United States.

BackgroundDiet and feeding patterns during the infant, toddler, and preschool years affect nutrient adequacy or excess during critical developmental periods. Understanding food consumption, feeding practices, and nutrient adequacy or excess during these periods is essential to establishing appropriate recommendations aimed at instilling healthy eating behaviors in children.ObjectiveThe objective of the 2016 Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS 2016) was to update our knowledge on the diets and feeding patterns of young children and to provide new data in related areas such as feeding behaviors, sleep, physical activity, and screen use. This article describes the study design, data collection methods, 24-h dietary recall (24-h recall) protocol, and sample characteristics of FITS 2016.MethodsFITS 2016 is a cross-sectional study of caregivers of children aged <4 y living in the 50 states and Washington, DC. Data collection occurred between June 2015 and May 2016. A recruitment interview (respondent and child characteristics, feeding practices, physical activity, screen use, and sleep habits) was completed by telephone or online. This was followed by a feeding practices questionnaire and the 24-h recall conducted by telephone. A second 24-h recall was collected for a random subsample of 25% of the total sampled population.ResultsAmong the 4830 recruited households with an age-eligible child, 3248 (67%) completed the 24-h recall. The respondents were more likely to be white, less likely to be Hispanic, and more highly educated than the US population of adults in households with a child <4 y of age. The sample was subsequently calibrated and weighted, and the distribution of respondents was compared with known population distributions.ConclusionsFITS 2016 provides data based on sound methods that can inform researchers, policymakers, and practitioners about the food and nutrient intakes of young children. New findings may also be compared with previous FITS studies.

Snacking is an important contributor to energy and nutrients in children's diets, but foods and beverages selected vary by time of day and age. Modifying snacking choices, especially in the afternoon, could improve the nutritional quality of children's diets.