Food preferences have been identified as a key determinant of children's food acceptance and consumption. The aim of this study was to identify factors that influence children's liking for fruits, vegetables and non-core foods. Participants were Australian mothers (median age at delivery=31years, 18-46years) and their two-year-old children (M=24months, SD=1month; 52% female) allocated to the control group (N=245) of the NOURISH RCT. The effects of repeated exposure to new foods, maternal food preferences and child food neophobia on toddlers' liking of vegetables, fruits and non-core foods and the proportion never tried were examined via hierarchical regression models; adjusting for key maternal (age, BMI, education) and child covariates (birth weight Z-score, gender), duration of breastfeeding and age of introduction to solids. Maternal preferences corresponded with child preferences. Food neophobia among toddlers was associated with liking fewer vegetables and fruits, and trying fewer vegetables. Number of repeated exposures to new food was not significantly associated with food liking at this age. Results highlight the need to: (i) encourage parents to offer a wide range of foods, regardless of their own food preferences, and (ii) provide parents with guidance on managing food neophobia.

Objective: To describe the quantity and diversity of food and beverage intake in Australian children aged 12-16 months and to determine if the amount and type of milk intake is associated with dietary diversity. Methods:Mothers participating in the NOURISH and South Australian Infant Dietary Intake (SAIDI) studies completed a single 24-hour recall of their child's food intake, when children (n=551) were aged 12-16 months. The relationship between dietary diversity and intake of cow's milk, formula or breastmilk was examined using one-way ANOVA.Results: Dairy and cereal were the most commonly consumed food groups and the greatest contributors to daily energy intake. Most children ate fruit (87%) and vegetables (77%) on the day of the 24-hour recall while 91% ate discretionary items. Half the sample ate less than 30 g of meat/alternatives. A quarter of the children were breastfeeding while formula was consumed by 32% of the sample, providing 29% of daily energy intake. Lower dietary diversity was associated with increased formula intake. Conclusions:The quality of dietary intake in this group of young children is highly variable. Most toddlers were consuming a diverse diet, though almost all ate discretionary items. The amount and type of meat/alternatives consumed was poor.Implications: Health professionals should advise parents to offer iron-rich foods, while limiting discretionary choices and use of formula at an age critical in the development of long-term food preferences.

Objective: To evaluate dietary intake impact outcomes up to 3.5 years after the NOURISH early feeding intervention (concealed allocation, assessor masked randomized controlled trial). Methods: In this study, 698 first-time mothers with healthy term infants were allocated to receive anticipatory guidance on protective feeding practices or usual care. Outcomes were assessed at 2, 3.7, and 5 years (3.5 years post-intervention). Dietary intake was assessed by 24-h recall and Child Dietary Questionnaire. Mothers completed a food preference questionnaire and Children's Eating Behavior Questionnaire. Linear mixed models assessed group, time, and time 3 group effects.Results: There were no group or time 3 group effects for fruit, vegetable, discretionary food, and nonmilk sweetened beverage intake. Intervention children showed a higher preference for fruit (74.6% vs. 69.0% liked, P < 0.001), higher Child Dietary Questionnaire score for fruit and vegetables (15.3 vs. 14.5, target 18, P 5 0.03), lower food responsiveness (2.3 vs. 2.4, of maximum 5, P 5 0.04), and higher satiety responsiveness (3.1 vs. 3.0, of maximum 5, P 5 0.04). Conclusions: Compared with usual care, an early feeding intervention providing anticipatory guidance regarding positive feeding practices led to small improvements in child dietary score, food preferences, and eating behaviors up to 5 years of age, but not in dietary intake measured by 24-h recall.

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