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The 2008 Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS): Parents' perceptions and practices related to diet and weight
Author(s) -
Briefel Ronette,
Deming Denise,
Fox Mary Kay,
Condon Elizabeth,
Reidy Kathleen
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.25.1_supplement.99.2
Subject(s) - toddler , overweight , underweight , childhood obesity , medicine , obesity , screen time , pediatrics , psychology , demography , developmental psychology , sociology
National data from the 2008 Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS) were analyzed to assess parents' perceptions of their children's diet and weight, and adherence to Healthy Active Living for Families recommendations for diet, physical activity, and screen time. Household interviews and 24‐hr dietary recalls were conducted by telephone w/parents or primary caregivers of infants 0–11 mo (n=887), toddlers 12–23 mo (n=925), and preschoolers 24–47 mo (n=1,461) (total n=3,273). Most parents think their child consumes enough fruits and vegetables, however, 1 in 4 preschoolers did not consume any distinct fruit and 1 in 3 did not consume any vegetable; almost half of toddlers (44%) and preschoolers (48%) consumed sugar‐sweetened beverages on a given day. Most parents considered their child's weight to be ‘about right’, but parents were 3–4 times more likely to think their child was underweight (8–9%) than overweight (2–3%) – a finding inconsistent with national U.S. data showing that 3% of 1–4 year olds are underweight and 10% are overweight. One in 4 preschoolers exceeded recommendations to limit screen time to 2 hrs or less per day, and 1 in 4 watched TV or videos in the room where they sleep. FITS data indicate that the toddler and preschool period is a critical time to help parents instill healthful, long‐term dietary and activity behaviors in their children and family to prevent childhood obesity. Research funded by Nestlé.