A FOOD VARIETY INDEX FOR TODDLERS (VIT) - DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION

Objective To develop a variety index based on the Food Guide Pyramid t hat is specific to toddlers and is indicative of dietary adequacy. Des ign Subjects' mothers were assigned randomly to two in-home interviews with a registered dietitian at four possible collection periods: 24, 28, 32, or 36 months. Three days of dietary information were collected at each period. A Variety Index for Toddlers (VIT) was developed to a ssess variety within and among food groups based on the number of serv ings from the food groups in the Food Guide Pyramid. Subjects White ch ildren aged 24 to 36 months (n=124) and their mothers who were partici pants in an ongoing longitudinal study. Statistical analyses Descripti ve statistical procedures were performed on VIT scores. Mean adequacy ratio (MAR) scores were calculated for all subjects and compared with VIT scores. Results Bread group scores were consistently the highest o f the individual food groups (mean score=0.94 to 0.96 on the 0.0 to 1. 0 scale); the vegetable and meat groups were generally the lowest (mea n score=0.68 to 0.73 and 0.73 to 0.76, respectively). Mean VIT scores (an average of the five food group scores) over the four collection pe riods ranged from 0.79+/-0.14 to 0.81+/-0.15; a score of 1.00 represen ted intake of at least the minimum number of recommended servings from each food group. VIT scores were strongly correlated to the MAR score of nutrient adequacy (r=+.74, P<.01). Applications The VIT can provid e a numeric description of dietary variety specific to toddlers. VIT s cores can be compared with other characteristics of children, and this index has the potential to be adapted for use with other age groups a nd populations.