Many foods marketed for infants and toddlers are unhealthy and may lead to increased obesity, dangerous dietary habits, and chronic diseases, according to a new study examining many of the most common products. Researchers analyzing 651 products from 10 U.S.
grocery chains discovered that 60 percent of the processed foods fell short of nutritional requirements set by the World Health Organization (WHO). The foods sampled were intended for children 6 to 36 months old. “Early childhood is a crucial period of rapid growth and when taste preferences and dietary habits form, potentially paving the way for the development of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes and some cancers later in life,” Dunford said.
Many baby foods, specifically puree-based foods designed for weaning off breast milk or formula, may not be appropriate at the start of solid food introduction, according to Dunford, because they are high in sugar and low in fats, proteins, and other important nutrients such as iron. According to the study, 44 percent of baby foods exceed sugar requirements. “Our findings highlight the urgent need for better regulation and guidance in the infant and toddler foods market in the United States.
The health of future generations depends on it,” Dunford said. The widespread use of foods not found in nature has been responsible for the rise in obesity among children, Katy Talento, epidemiologist and former lead health advisor to the White House told The Epoch Times. Talen.