March 8, 2023 – Half of young children within the United States don’t eat vegetables daily, in keeping with a brand new report.
Overall, children ate more fruit than vegetables day by day. One-year-olds ate more fruit and vegetables than 2- to 5-year-olds, and the youngest children also drank fewer sugar-sweetened beverages.
The report was released by the CDC. The data included dietary intake information for 18,386 children ages 1 to five years old from the CDC's 2021 National Survey of Children's Health.
Key findings of the report include:
- 1 in 3 children didn't eat fruit daily
- 49% didn't eat vegetables daily
- More than half (57%) drank a sugar-sweetened beverage at the very least once per week
Whether children eat fruit and veggies day by day is dependent upon race, ethnicity and socioeconomic status. Black children are the least prone to eat fruit and veggies day by day: 65% don't get vegetables at the very least in the future per week and 51% don't get fruit. Households that reported not at all times with the ability to afford enough to eat were significantly more prone to report that their children don't eat fruit and veggies day by day.
The researchers also examined state-level data and located that healthy eating varied by where children lived. In 20 states, greater than half of kids didn't eat vegetables day by day. The state with the very best record was Vermont, where about 70% of kids ate vegetables day by day. The state with the worst record was Louisiana, where about 35% of kids ate vegetables day by day.
The authors consider the findings should help develop tailored programs that contribute to healthier nutrition for young children, which in turn could reduce long-term health risks.
“Toddlers need certain nutrients to support their optimal growth and development,” they write. “A weight loss program wealthy in fruit and veggies can assist provide these nutrients. Limiting or reducing foods and beverages high in added sugar, including sugar-sweetened beverages, is essential because added sugar is related to an increased risk of obesity, dental problems, and other diseases. [problems]Diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.”