4aIren s ealt Many American Infants And Toddlers Not Getting Recommended Levels Of Nutrients dislikes begin to take shape, mak- may be missing. Formulas like for what’s on Mom’s plate and feel confident that they are keeping up with their babies changing nutritional requirements,” said (NAPS)—Most parents do what they feel is best for their children, and feeding time is no different. A ing feeding time more difficult. At an age when babies are reaching shows that 88 percent of parents picky eating reigns, older babies’ new consumer survey, however, mistakenly believe their older infants are getting all the nutrients they need from cereal and tablefood. Science says otherwise. According to a study published in Pediatrics, intakes of several key nutrients, such as zinc and Vitamin E, start to fall below recommended levels at about the time children are introducedto table foods. Offering more support to this issue, a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) sur- vey finds: About 60 percent of one-year- olds are not meeting the RDA for iron, a key nutrient for mental development. Roughly four out of five oneyear-olds are not receiving the RDAfor vitamin E, an important antioxidant. Eighty-seven percent of one- year-olds are not meeting the RDA for zinc, a mineral important for growth as well as to help support the immunesystem. “The normal behavioral decla- ration of independence that hap- pens simultaneously with the introduction of new foods can lead to an imbalanced diet,” said Donald L. Shifrin, M.D., Clinical Pro- fessor of Pediatrics at Washington School of Medicine. As babies get older and become more independent, their likes and intakes of key nutrients, such as iron, zinc and vitamin KE, fall short of what’s recommended.Part of the solution may come in the form of infant formulas designed specifi- cally for older infants and toddlers, some experts believe. The Ross Products Division of Abbott Laboratories has introduced Similac 2 for older infants, ages 6 A consumersurvey shows88 percent of parents mistakenly believe their older infants are getting all the nutrients they need from cereal and table foods; but science says otherwise. Ross Products Division ofAbbott Laboratories @Q to 18 months and Isomil 2 for older infants with milk sensitivities. Similac 2 and Isomil 2 are specially formulated to meet the evolving nutritional needs of older infants and toddlers as they move from breast milk and/or infant formula to table foods. The new formulas contain important nutrients includ- ing iron, zinc, vitamin E, and have more calcium than Similac With Iron’ or Isomil Soy Infant Formula With Iron’. “It’s difficult for moms to know exactly what nutrients their babies Similac 2 and Isomil 2 help parents Susan Finn, Ph.D., R.D., director of nutrition and communications at Ross Products Division. For more information on Similac 2 and Isomil 2, visit www.Similac2.com or call toll free at 1 800 515-7677. How much do you know aboutan olderinfant's nutritional needs? 1. The American Academyof Pediatrics (AAP) recommendsthat babies avoid cow's milk until at least: a. 6 months, b. 12 months, c. 18 months 2. True or False: Recommended calcium intake doubles by the time babyturns 1year-old. 3.In the United States, what percentageof 1-year-olds has insufficient amountsof iron in their diets? a. 5 percent, b. 25 percent, c. 60 percent 4. Approximately what percentage of 1year olds do not meet the RDA forVitamin E and zinc? a. 80 percent, b. 60 percent, c. 20 percent 5. For a growing baby, calcium,iron, vitamin E and zinc together are important to: a. building strong bones, b. mental development, c. a healthy immunesystem, d. all of the above Answers: 1. (b) 2. (true) 3. (c) 4. (a) 5. (d)
