What foods are infants and toddlers eating?
OBJECTIVE: To describe the food consumption patterns of US infants and toddlers, 4 to 24 months of age. DESIGN: Descriptive analysis of data collected in the 2002 Feeding Infants and Toddlers study based on telephone interviews and 24-hour dietary recalls. SUBJECTS: A national random sample of 3,022 infants and toddlers age 4 to 24 months. STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: The percentage of infants and toddlers consuming foods from specific food groups was estimated for six age groups, using a single 24-hour recall. RESULTS: Infants as young as 7 months of age showed food patterns that have been observed in older children and adults. From 18% to 33% of infants and toddlers between ages 7 and 24 months consumed no discrete servings of vegetables, and 23% to 33% consumed no fruits. French fries were one of the three most common vegetables consumed by infants 9 to 11 months of age. By 15 to 18 months, french fries were the most common vegetable. Almost half (46%) of 7- to 8-month-olds consu
