Feeding Young Children Study (FYCS)- a Randomized Control Trial of a Bottle Weaning Intervention Aimed at Reducing the Risk of Overweight in Low Income Multi-ethnic Toddlers.

This Integrated Project (Research + Extension) aims to reduce the risk of early childhood overweight through changing bottle-feeding behavior. Excess bottles of whole milk and sweet beverages beyond the advised weaning age of 12 months, "inappropriate bottle-feeding," has been linked to overweight. Our pilot of this intervention reduced bottle use.

COMPONENTS OF THE 'FEEDING YOUNG CHILDREN STUDY' (FYCS):

1. Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)- of a bottle-weaning intervention in low-income multi-ethnic toddlers, will enroll n=464 12 month olds using >2 bottles/day from two WIC sites. Bottle use, anthropometrics, dietary intake, and nutrient density outcomes will be assessed at Baseline, and 4 times over a 12 month follow-up.
2. Observational Study- nested within the RCT, will describe dietary intake and nutrient density data (24 hour recalls) for this period of feeding transitions. FYCS fills a gap in knowledge about this population's dietary habits, and their relationship to bottle use.
3. Extension- our Marketing Department will produce: a 5-8 minute 'infomercial' and nutritionist and client guides (freely downloadable) at WIC, maternal/child health, and pediatric websites, and; a public TV segment. We will disseminate findings through a) the National WIC Association, b) nutrition & pediatric journals, and; c) lay print, media, and websites with assistance from our Public Relations Department.