(P10-026-24) Fruits and Vegetable and Other Complementary Feeding Practices Among Infants in Low-Income Households

Objectives: 1) To examine daily fruits and vegetable intake and other food groups among infants living in low-income households; and 2) To determine racial/ethnic differences in complementary feeding practices among infants living in low-income households.

Methods: Mother-infant dyads were recruited from a local pediatric clinic mainly serving low-income/Medicaid recipient families (n = 240). Mothers were interviewed over the phone when infants were 9 months old to collect sociodemographic information and carry out 24-hour feeding recalls using a multiple-pass method. The interviews were conducted in English and Spanish by trained bilingual research assistants. Information from feeding recalls were used to estimate daily intake of fruits and vegetables and other food groups using a windows-based dietary analysis program (Nutrition Data System for Research). Descriptive statistics were carried out and bivariate tests for comparison by race/ethnicity were conducted using SPSS v 23.0.

Results: Majority (~75%) of the participants were either African American or of Latino origin. Majority of the participants were enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). On average, household income was of $1500 per month with the household size of 4. About 70% of the infants had either fruits or vegetables on a previous day. Feeding fruits was more common than vegetables (p < .05). Fruit pouches, pureed vegetables and ready-to-use cereals with fruits were common items. Infant cereal was another common complementary food and contributed significantly to dietary fiber intake. By race/ethnicity, a significant difference was seen in protein types fed to infants. Intake of plant protein was significantly higher among Latino infants, while feeding animal protein, including eggs, was more common among African American group (p < .05).

Conclusions: Compared to vegetables, intake of fruits is more common among infants participating in WIC. Results of our study suggest that WIC approved baby foods are commonly used and play a significant role in meeting daily fruits and vegetable intake and related nutrients among infants during complementary feeding period. Nutrition education on preparation of infant foods using WIC approved bean and lentils can promote nutrition security for infants.

Funding Sources: NIH-NICHD