Study Shows High Salt and Sugar Food Intake in Rural Children Under Age 2
In rural Pennsylvania, a study involving more than 10,000 children uncovered that a significant number of them were introduced to foods high in sugar and salt during their early years.
More than half (53%) of the children included in the study from rural Pennsylvania were given high-sodium meats like hot dogs before the age of two. Additionally, 37% received salty snacks such as potato chips, and about one-third (34%) were provided with cakes, cookies, or pudding before reaching two years of age. The study also found that over a quarter (27%) of babies were given juice before their first birthday.
Concerns Raised by Carolyn F. McCabe, Ph.D.
Carolyn F. McCabe, Ph.D., a staff scientist in the Department of Population Health Sciences and the Center for Obesity and Metabolic Research at Geisinger, expressed concern about these findings, as such foods are not recommended for young children. Early exposure to foods and beverages high in sugar, fat, and sodium may have detrimental effects on the healthy growth and development of infants and children.
The study’s results were presented at NUTRITION 2023, the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition held in Boston from July 22 to 25.
Current U.S. dietary guidelines advise waiting until at least age one to introduce 100% fruit or vegetable juices, and recommend that families avoid foods and drinks with added sugars and limit those high in sodium for children under two. These guidelines aim to reduce the danger of overweight and obesity, diabetes, asthma, and other chronic health conditions.
Insights from Experts and Carolyn F. McCabe, Ph.D.
Experts warn that exposing young children to excessively sweet or salty foods can shape their taste preferences and lead to unhealthy eating habits in the long run. Early life is a crucial period for establishing eating habits and food preferences, and these habits can persist as children grow older, according to McCabe. It is important to ensure that infants and toddlers receive the necessary healthy foods for proper nutrition, especially considering their small stomachs.
Dietary Patterns and Early Feeding Practices among Rural Children at Geisinger
The study analyzed questionnaires from 10,614 children up to 26 months old who visited Geisinger, a rural-serving health system in Pennsylvania, between 2016 and 2020. Besides the early introduction of foods high in sugar, fat, and sodium, the study also revealed that less than half (46%) of babies were exclusively fed human milk and/or formula for the first six months of life, as recommended by dietary guidelines. Furthermore, 29% of children received sweetened cereal, and one in 10 received sugar-sweetened beverages before the age of two.
Rural children face various health and socioeconomic disparities, with one in five living in poverty, and they are 25% more likely to experience obesity compared to non-rural children.
These disparities highlight the relevance of raising awareness among rural families about dietary guidelines for children and providing them with the necessary resources to follow these guidelines, according to McCabe.
Read the original article on: Medical Xpress
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