Temporal Eating Patterns Among U.S. Infants and Toddlers, NHANES 2011–2016

Abstract

Abstract Objectives As characterization of temporal eating patterns of U.S. infants and toddlers is limited, we aimed to explore eating frequency and interval, and to reveal relevant challenges related to investigation among this age group. Methods Using a single 24-hour recall from NHANES 2011–2016, we estimated eating frequency in categories (1–4, 5–7, 8–10, and ≥11 times per day) (%, Standard Error (SE)) and eating interval (mean, SE) in hours, by age group (0–5 months, 6–11 months, and 12–23 months) among infants and toddlers younger than 2 years old (n = 1704). Eating interval was defined as the last reported consumption time minus the first reported consumption time. SAS was used to incorporate weights and the complex survey design. We also explored describing the data by parent report of eating occasion (breakfast, lunch, dinner, supper, snack, etc.). Results Among children 0–23 months, 8% (SE 0.8), 54% (SE 1.3), 32% (SE 1.1), and 6% (SE 0.6) reported eating 1–4, 5–7, 8–10, and ≥11 times per day, respectively. The mean eating interval length decreased with increasing age category: 17.6 hours (SE 0.19), 15.6 hours (0.21), and 13.1 hours (SE 0.20), among infants and toddlers 0–5, 6–11, and 12–23 months (P < 0.001), respectively. Attempts to evaluate eating frequency by parent-reported eating occasion revealed misalignment of clock time with reported eating occasion. For example, a parent may report multiple eating occasions as “breakfast” in a given day between the hours of 6:00 AM and 10:00 PM, interspersed among other eating occasions reported as lunch, snack, or dinner. Conclusions There is a dearth of national data on the eating habits of infants and toddlers younger than 2 years, and even less is known about the temporal eating patterns for this group. We found that more than half of infants and toddlers reported 5–7 eating occasions on a given day and that toddlers 12–23 months had shorter eating intervals compared to infants 0–5 and 6–12 months. We also found some discordance with how eating occasions were reported among infants and toddlers, as the naming does not align with more typical classification that is used among older children and adults. Therefore, caution is advised when characterizing temporal eating patterns for this group. Funding Sources N/A