LONGITUDINAL-STUDY OF NUTRIENT AND FOOD INTAKES OF INFANTS AGED 2 TO 24 MONTHS

Objective To determine the nutrient and food intakes of healthy, white infants from families of middle and upper socioeconomic status and to compare intakes to current recommendations. Design Using an incomplet e random block design, we interviewed 98 mother-infant pairs longitudi nally when infants were 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, and 24 months o ld. Data obtained included 24-hour dietary recalls, usual food intake, and food likes and dislikes. Setting Interviews were conducted in the mother's home by registered dietitians. Subjects resided in two urban areas of Tennessee. Subjects Of the original 98 subjects, 94 complete d the 2-year study. Results Mean energy and nutrient intakes generally met or exceeded the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). Exceptions w ere zinc and vitamin D, which were each below 100% of the RDA at 9 of the 10 data points, and vitamin E, which was below the RDA in the infa nts' second year. Fat intake decreased from more than 40% of energy in the first 6 months to 30% to 32% from 10 to 24 months. One third of t he infants drank reduced-fat milks at 12 months and more than half dra nk them at 24 months. Although infants ate a variety of foods, vegetab les often were the least favorite foods. A variety of dairy products p rovided calcium for the infant but lacked vitamin D. Conclusions Sever al nutritional issues about infant feeding before 2 years of age arose . Low intakes of zinc, vitamin D, and vitamin E were observed. In the second year, low fat intake, use of reduced-fat milks, and dislike of vegetables were areas of concern.