Feeding Infants & Toddlers Study (FITS)
The Nestlé Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS) is the largest and most comprehensive dietary intake survey focused on infants, toddlers and preschoolers in the U.S. Started in 2002 by Gerber and conducted in 2008 and 2016 by the Nestlé Research Center in Lausanne, Switzerland, FITS has surveyed nearly 10,000 parents and caregivers to gain a better understanding of the food and nutrient intakes and related lifestyle behaviors among young children. See below for free access to the over 65 peer-reviewed publications from FITS about the nutrient and dietary intakes of infants and toddlers.
FITS Highlights
Areas for Improvement
Nearly 1 in 5 (18%) infants 6-12 months fall short on dietary iron
More than 1/4 of children 6 to 48 months don't eat a single serving of vegetables on a given day
3/4 (75%) of 1-3 year olds consume too much sodium
Almost all (90%) 2-3 year olds consume sweet foods or sweetened beverages on a given day
About 20% of 1-3 year olds don't drink cow's milk on a given day
Successes
More mothers breastfeed, and for a longer duration compared to FITS 2002
More than 1/2 (59%) of 2-3 year olds eat whole grains on a given day
Fewer infants are drink 100% fruit juice since FITS 2008, with the same likelihood of eating fruit
About 25% of little one’s daily calories come from snacking occasions
Iron is a critical nutrient to support learning ability and brain development. More infants than ever in the 21st century are not getting enough iron1-3
Percentage of 6-12 month olds falling short on recommended iron intake between 2002 and 2016*
*EAR for iron is 6.9 mg/day; includes iron from food, beverages, and dietary supplementsBetween 2002 and 2016, the dietary iron gap in 6-12 month olds has increased while iron-fortified cereal usage has decreased.
10.5% more 6-12 month olds fall short on recommended iron intake
30% fewer 6-12 month olds eat infant cereal (82% consuming in 2002, 52% in 2016)
Only about 5% of 6-12 month olds eat beef, an excellent source of iron
2 FITS 2008: Butte N., et al. and Siega-Riz AM., et al., JADA 2010.
3 FITS 2016: Bailey R., et al. and Roess A., et al., J of Nutr 2018.
FITS Resources
Latest FITS Publications
- Breastfed and mixed fed infants who do not consume infant cereal are at risk for inadequate iron intake:data from the feeding infants and toddlers study 2016, a cross-sectional survey
- Evaluation of the introduction of allergen-containing foods: Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study 2016
- A Substantial Proportion of 6- to 12-Month-Old Infants Have Calculated Daily Absorbed Iron below Recommendations, Especially Those Who Are Breastfed
- Pouch use among infants does not impact exposure to other forms of fruits and vegetables: data from the Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS) 2016
- The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children is Associated with Several Changes in Nutrient Intakes and Food Consumption Patterns of Participating Infants and Young Children, 2008 Compared with 2016
- The 2016 Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS): Dietary Intakes and Practices of Children in the United States from Birth to 48 Months
- Trends in Food Consumption Patterns of US Infants and Toddlers from Feeding Infants and Toddlers Studies (FITS) in 2002, 2008, 2016
- Trends in Mean Nutrient Intakes of US Infants, Toddlers, and Young Children from 3 Feeding Infants and Toddlers Studies (FITS)
- FITS and KNHS Overview: Methodological Challenges in Dietary Intake Data Collection among Infants, Toddlers, and Children in Selected Countries
- Nutrient intakes and sources of fiber among children with low and high dietary fiber intake: the 2016 feeding infants and toddlers study (FITS), a cross-sectional survey
- Concerning impact of decreasing infant cereal consumption on essential nutrient intakes of breastfed babies: Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS) 2016
- The Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS) 2016: Study Design and Methods
- Total Usual Nutrient Intakes of US Children (Under 48 Months): Findings from the Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS) 2016
- Challenges and Considerations When Balancing the Risks of Contaminants with the Benefits of Fruits and Vegetables for Infants and Toddlers
- The Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS) 2016: Moving Forward
- WIC and non-WIC infants and children differ in usage of some WIC-provided foods
- Location influences snacking behavior of US infants, toddlers and preschool children
- Usual Nutrient Intakes from the Diets of US Children by WIC Participation and Income: Findings from the Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS) 2016
- Beverage Consumption Patterns among Infants and Young Children (0⁻47.9 Months): Data from the Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study, 2016
- Starch Consumption Patterns in Infants and Young Children
- Food Consumption Patterns and Micronutrient Density of Complementary Foods Consumed by Infants Fed Commercially Prepared Baby Foods
- Food Consumption Patterns of Infants and Toddlers: Findings from the Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS) 2016
- Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS) 2016: Findings and Thoughts on the Third Data Cycle
- Room for Improvement Remains in Food Consumption Patterns of Young Children Aged 2-4 Years
- Cross-sectional analysis of eating patterns and snacking in the US Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study 2008
- Importance of Dietary Sources of Iron in Infants and Toddlers: Lessons from the FITS Study
- Early development of dietary patterns: transitions in the contribution of food groups to total energy - Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study, 2008
Previous FITS Publications
- Usual food intakes of 2- and 3-year old U.S. children are not consistent with dietary guidelines
- Food Consumption Patterns of Infants and Toddlers: Findings from the Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (2016)
- Room for Improvement Remains in Food Consumption Patterns of Young Children Aged 2-4 Years (FITS 2016)
- WIC and non-WIC Infants and Children Differ in Usage of Some WIC-Provided Foods (FITS 2016)
- Beverage Consumption Patterns among Infants and Young Children (0–47.9 Months): Data from the Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study, 2016
- Food Consumption Patterns and Micronutrient Density of Complementary Foods Consumed by Infants Fed Commercially Prepared Baby Foods (FITS 2008)
- Trends in Mean Nutrient Intakes of US Infants, Toddlers, and Young Children from 3 Feeding Infants and Toddlers Studies (FITS)
- Total Usual Nutrient Intakes of U.S. Children (< 48 mo): Findings from the Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS) 2016
- Usual Nutrient Intakes from the Diets of US Children by WIC Participation and Income: Findings from the Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS) 2016
- Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS) 2016: Findings and Thoughts on the Third Data Cycle
- The Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS) 2016: Moving Forward
- The Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS) 2016: Study Design and Methods
- Importance of dietary sources of iron in infants and toddlers: Lessons from the FITS Study (FITS 2008)
- Location influences snacking behavior of US infants, toddlers and preschool children (FITS 2008)
- Food consumption patterns of infants and toddlers: where are we now? (FITS 2008)
- Food Consumption Patterns of Young Preschoolers: Are They Starting Off on the Right Path? (FITS 2008)
- Early development of dietary patterns: transitions in the contribution of food groups to total energy (FITS 2008)
- Nutrient Intakes of US Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers Meet or Exceed Dietary Reference Intakes (FITS 2008)
- Parents’ Perceptions and Adherence to Children’s Diet and Activity Recommendations (FITS 2008)
- Picky eating: Associations with child eating characteristics and food intake
- New Findings from the Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study: Data to Inform Action (FITS 2008)
- Infant feeding practices and food consumption patterns of children participating in WIC (FITS 2008)
- The Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study 2008: opportunities to assess parental, cultural, and environmental influences on dietary behaviors and obesity prevention among young children (FITS 2008)
- The Fitness of FITS (FITS 2008)
- New findings from the Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS 2008)
- Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study 2008: Progress, Continuing Concerns, and Implications (FITS 2008)
- The Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study 2008: Study Design and Methods (FITS 2008)
- Improving the Diets of the Young: Considerations for Intervention Design (FITS 2002)
- Average portions of foods commonly eaten by infants and toddlers in the United States (FITS 2002)
- Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study: the types of foods fed to Hispanic infants and toddlers (FITS 2002)
- Maternal and child characteristics associated with infant and toddler feeding practices (FITS 2002)
- Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS): What Foods Are Infants and Toddlers Eating? (FITS 2002)
- Feeding infants and toddlers study: Improvements needed in meeting infant feeding recommendations (FITS 2002)
- Toddlers' transition to table foods: Impact on nutrient intakes and food patterns (FITS 2002)
- Nutrient intakes and food choices of infants and toddlers participating in WIC (FITS 2002)
- Improving the Eating Patterns of Infants and Toddlers (FITS 2002)
- Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study: meal and snack intakes of Hispanic and non-Hispanic infants and toddlers (FITS 2002)
- Nutrient intakes and food patterns of toddlers' lunches and snacks: influence of location (FITS 2002)
- Transitions in Infants’ and Toddlers’ Beverage Patterns (FITS 2002)
- Meal and Snack Patterns of Infants and Toddlers (FITS 2002)
- Sources of energy and nutrients in the diets of infants and toddlers (FITS 2002)
- Current electrolyte intakes of infants and toddlers (FITS 2002)
- Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study: do vitamin and mineral supplements contribute to nutrient adequacy or excess among US infants and toddlers? (FITS 2002)
- Relationship between portion size and energy intake among infants and toddlers: evidence of self-regulation (FITS 2002)
- Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study: characteristics and usual nutrient intake of Hispanic and non-Hispanic infants and toddlers (FITS 2002)
- Nutrient Intakes of Infants and Toddlers (FITS 2002)
- FITS: New Insights and Lessons Learned (FITS 2002)
- Developmental Milestones and Self-Feeding Behaviors in Infants and Toddlers (FITS 2002)
- Prevalence of picky eaters among infants and toddlers and their caregivers' decisions about offering a new food (FITS 2002)
- Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS): Development of the FITS Survey in Comparison to Other Dietary Survey Methods (FITS 2002)
- Feeding infants and toddlers study: overview of the study design (FITS 2002)
