Exposure to non‐core foods and beverages in the first year of life: Results from a cohort study

Abstract

Aim: To report the proportion of Australian infants who were introduced to non‐core foods and beverages and to identify factors that are associated with the introduction of non‐core foods and beverages to infants in the first year of life. Methods: Participants were 587 women recruited from two maternity hospitals in Perth and followed up by telephone interview at 4, 10, 16, 22, 32, 40 and 52 weeks post‐partum to collect information on infant feeding practices. Factors associated with introduction of non‐core foods and beverages by 52 weeks post‐partum were identified using multivariate logistic regression. Results: The three non‐core foods most commonly introduced to infants by 52 weeks post‐partum were biscuits and cakes (91.6%, n = 415), hot chips/French fries (78.6%, n = 356) and ice‐cream (68.2%, n = 309). Independent predictors of introduction of non‐core foods and beverages by 52 weeks post‐partum were age at which solids were first introduced and the presence of older siblings. Conclusion: Identifying factors associated with the introduction of non‐core foods and beverages to infants is important to help health professionals better target early feeding interventions. Consistent recommendations are required to ensure clear understanding of what foods are suitable and not suitable for infants.

Dietary patterns and breast-feeding in Australian children

“…However, this pattern was associated with earlier introduction to solids, to the presence of more children in the household, to a greater likelihood of being in the more disadvantaged SEIFA categories and to higher energy intakes. This finding is supported by the results of another Australian study which reported that infants were more likely to have received non-core foods if they received solids for the first time before 17 weeks and if they had two or more older siblings (48) . No association was found between the combination dietary pattern and breast-feeding.…”

Dietary patterns in UK adolescents obtained from a dual-source FFQ and their associations with socio-economic position, nutrient intake and modes of eating

“…Furthermore, the mother's FFQ did not include questions on the consumption of squashes/cordials, carbonated drinks, crisps, biscuits, chocolate and sweets. These foods can be considered to be nonessential or non-core foods (25) as they provide very few nutrients yet are high in energy and extremely palatable. All these foods loaded highly on the 'Snacks/sugared drinks' pattern.…”

Food and beverage intake in Australian children aged 12–16 months participating in the NOURISH and SAIDI studies

“…23 This approach has been used in other Australian studies. 13,14 While milk is recommended, guidelines also advise daily consumption of cow's milk be less than 500 mL because of the high protein and low iron content and risk of reducing diversity in the diet. 1 Median intake of consumers (n=431) was 370 g per day (about 360 mL) -well below the suggested limit -and there was no association between intake of cow's milk/ alternatives and diversity score.…”

“…In Perth (PIFS II), 92% of children had tried biscuits/ cakes by 12 months of age (n=587). 13 Toddlers are very active but have variable appetites. As a result, they tend to consume small frequent meals over the day to meet their energy and nutrient needs.…”

“…Unfortunately, health professionals know little about which foods parents are offering and what children are actually eating at the critical 1-2 years of age. Several surveys examine breastfeeding duration and introduction of solid foods during the period from birth to age 12 months, [11][12][13] 15 The most commonly consumed vegetable was fried potato.…”