Most parents
are feeding their babies solid foods too early – raising their risk of obesity
and diabetes, according to new research. The study showed that more than half
of infants start eating solids before the recommended six months and only a
third of babies are introduced at the right time.
Previous research has shown that
babies who are have solid foods too early are more likely to be overweight and
develop chronic diseases such as diabetes and celiac disease.The study of
nearly 1,500 babies across the United States (US) is the first of its kind,
emphasizing the need for babies to be given solid foods at the proper time,
according to health experts.
The study conducted by the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) analyzed six years of data from the
detailed National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).Researchers
assessed the food intake of 1,482 children aged six to 36 months which were
gathered during household interviews with parents and guardians.
The survey
asked how old infants were when they were first fed anything other than breast
milk or formula. This included juice, cow’s milk, water, baby food or anything
else that the infant might have been given.It found only 32.5 percent of babies
were introduced to complementary foods at the recommended time.
The findings published in the
Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics showed that 16.3 percent were
started before four months and 38.3 percent at four to five months.Dr. Chloe
Barrera, a nutritionist at the CDC said: ‘Introducing babies to complementary
foods too early can cause them to miss out on important nutrients that come
from breast milk and infant formula.’
One in eight parents introduced
their babies to solid food too late, at seven months or more.Barrera added:
“Conversely, introducing them to complementary foods too late has been
associated with micronutrient deficiencies, allergies and poorer diets later in
life.”
Researchers said their findings help
understand the current state of infant feeding practices in the US.Further
investigation found babies who were never breastfed or breastfed for less than
four months were most likely to be given the foods too soon. Human milk
provides all the nutrients, including iron, that babies need for the first six
months of life.
However, once the iron stored during
pregnancy is used up at about 6 months of age, iron-rich foods such as meats or
iron-fortified cereals need to be added to the baby’s diet.Over the last 60
years recommendations for when to introduce solid foods have changed
dramatically.
The 1958 guidelines suggested solid
foods in the third month, the 1970s brought a delay until after four months and
the 1990s pushed the introduction out to six months. These changes have
influenced past studies of infant nutrition, most of which show a general lack
of adherence to current professional guidelines.
The US Department of Agriculture
(USDA) and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are currently
developing the first federal dietary guidelines for children under two years,
to be released in 2020.
Barrera said: “Efforts to support
caregivers, families and healthcare providers may be needed to ensure US
children are achieving recommendations on the timing of food introduction.
“Inclusion of children under two in
the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans may promote consistent messaging
of when children should be introduced to complementary foods.”
Signs that your baby is ready for
solid foods include the ability to sit up with little support, the ability to
hold its head up, the development of motor skills to pick up soft foods and the
ability to put them in its mouth.
Feel Free To Comments Here...
No comments:
Post a Comment