The Use of Added Salt and Sugar in the Diet of Polish and Austrian Toddlers. Associated Factors and Dietary Patterns, Feeding and Maternal Practices

Abstract

Children aged <2 years should not be given meals with the addition of salt and sugar due to health risks and to promote healthier dietary habits. The aims of this study were: to assess the prevalence of the use of added salt (AS), sugar (ASu) and both salt and sugar (AS&Su) in the diets of Polish and Austrian toddlers aged 12–24 and 25–36 months; to explore the sociodemographic and early nutritional factors associated with the use of AS and ASu; to investigate the difference in dietary habits and maternal concerns about toddlers’ eating regarding the use of AS and ASu in toddlers’ diet. This cross-sectional anonymous study was conducted in 5893 mothers of children aged 12–36 months, recruited through social media in 2017–2019. The questionnaire consisted of questions about sociodemographics, early feeding practices and current children’s nutrition (e.g., use of AS and ASu, food frequency questionnaire). Multivariate logistic regression and cluster analyses were applied. Austrian mothers more often used AS than mothers from Poland (at 2 years old: 74.8% vs. 52.8%; at 3 years old 87.4% vs. 74.4%, p ≤ 0.001), however Polish mothers were more prone to use ASu (at 2 years old: 34.7% vs. 27.7%; at 3 years old: 59.0% vs. 45.8%, p ≤ 0.001). In younger toddlers (12–24 months), the odds of using of AS, ASu, and AS&Su increased with toddlers’ age, when the mother was a multipara, was not currently breastfeeding, or had exclusively breastfed for 4–5 months. This risk decreased when older toddlers (25–36 months) were introduced to solids by baby-led weaning (BLW). Toddlers from both countries who consumed meals with AS or ASu more often a followed Western-like dietary pattern. Our study emphasizes the need for parental nutritional education when beginning to introduce solid foods.

A Comparison of the Effects of Young-Child Formulas and Cow’s Milk on Nutrient Intakes in Polish Children Aged 13–24 Months

“…In contrast, Yuan et al [ 30 ] reported that boys consumed more sugar and sweet snacks than girls at the age of 8 months. In the present study, the consumption of sugar and sweets did not differ between the sexes, and similar observations were made by Masztalerz-Kozubek (2020) in a study of Polish children aged 12–36 months [ 31 ].…”

Baby Food and Oral Health: Knowledge of the Existing Interaction

“…As early as the age of five, one in five Australian children suffer from overweight or obesity. Obesity prevention strategies must therefore begin before this age [15].…”

“…Fortunately, accumulated evidence suggests that, starting before birth and continuing throughout development, there are repeated and varied opportunities for babies to learn to enjoy the flavors of healthy foods. Maternal factors influence bacterial acquisitions, while colonization is mediated by oral health behaviors and practices and eating habits [15]. Complementary nutrition should therefore be timely, i.e., start from 6 months onwards.…”

Infant Feeding and Information Sources in Chilean Families Who Reported Baby-Led Weaning as a Complementary Feeding Method

“…For example, we observed a high frequency of adding salt (32.0%), sugar (8.8%), honey (7.7%) or sweeteners to children’s food during the first two years of life. These habits are in conflict with national and international guidelines because they have been associated with poor dietary patterns [ 22 ]. Consumption of salt, sugar, sweetener and honey in children younger than 2 years of age has been associated with obesity and risk of botulism [ 23 , 24 ].…”