Early Childhood Vegetable, Fruit, and Discretionary Food Intakes Do Not Meet Dietary Guidelines, but Do Show Socioeconomic Differences and Tracking over Time

• Published in: Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 2018-09, Vol.118 (9), p.1634-1643.e1
• Main Authors: Spence, Alison C., Campbell, Karen J., Lioret, Sandrine, McNaughton, Sarah A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2212-2672; 2212-2680
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jand.2017.12.009

Dietary intakes of young children are likely to be important determinants of their short- and long-term health, yet there are few longitudinal dietary studies of this age group, and no previous assessments of diets before age 2 years compared with national dietary guidelines. This study aimed to compare vegetable, fruit, and discretionary food intakes of children aged 9 months to 5 years to dietary guidelines, and to assess differences in intakes by socioeconomic status and tracking of intakes across early childhood. This study analyzed longitudinal data from the Melbourne Infant Feeding Activity and Nutrition Trial Program early childhood lifestyle intervention trial, and is the first study to compare diets of children younger than age 2 years to national dietary guidelines. Participants were 467 children in Melbourne, Australia, aged 4 months at baseline (study conducted 2008-2015). Multiple 24-hour recalls with parents were conducted at child ages 9 months, 1.5 years, 3.5 years, and 5 years. Intakes of vegetables, fruits, and discretionary foods were compared with Australian Dietary Guidelines. Differences by socioeconomic status and tracking of intakes of each food group were assessed by multivariable linear regression. Few children (