New Findings from the Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study 2008

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.