One in two young American children do not eat at least one vegetable daily, as recommended for health, according to a study by health authorities published Thursday, February 16.
The proportion is only a little better for fruit: one young child in three (32%) does not consume at least one a day.
These estimates come from a questionnaire submitted, between June 2021 and January 2022, to the parents of around 18,300 children aged between 1 and 5 years old.
They were released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the nation's top federal health agency.
This study also shows that 57% of children had drunk a drink containing added sugars at least once during the week preceding the questionnaire.
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Increased risk of obesity, diabetes and cavities
Young children need specific nutrients for their development, which can be provided by fruits and vegetables, the CDC pointed out.
And added sugars are associated with an increased risk of obesity, cavities, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
The study also revealed significant differences between states: in Vermont, only 30% of children between the ages of 1 and 5 had not eaten at least one vegetable a day during the previous week, compared to nearly 65% in Louisiana. .
The percentage of children not consuming one vegetable and one fruit per day was also higher among black children than white children, and among children living in poorer households with little food available.
In general, 1-year-old children were more likely than slightly older children to consume one vegetable and one fruit per day.