Roundtable Proceedings

Abstract

The US Agricultural Act of 2014 stipulates that the age range for 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans expands to include from birth to 24 months. A group of pediatric nutrition researchers and practitioners met to discuss recent data and research gaps, as well as to generate research and potential public-private partnership ideas for future guidance on the feeding of young children, with a focus on 12 to 24 months old. Specific to this age range, the meeting participants analyzed cross-sectional dietary intake data and reviewed dietary guidance history, developmental feeding, policy considerations, and principles of public-private partnership. The group generated a number of research questions, emphasizing the need to investigate ways to improve acceptance of nutrient-dense foods, including vegetables. Research is needed to understand whether an innate preference for sweetness can be used strategically to help caregivers persevere in feeding less accepted nutrient-dense foods to toddlers.