Sprout Foods (New Jersey) challenged the baby and toddler food industry, government and influencers to join it in elevating nutrition standards and provide healthier choices to help prevent obesity before it occurs.

“Obesity is the most widespread and pressing childhood health issue, with the Center for Disease Control estimating the number of children with obesity ages 2 to 5 years old at nearly 14 percent,” said Rick Klauser, CEO, Sprout Foods. “In the past, the focus has been on treating obesity. However, despite years of effort and tens of millions of dollars, the number of children with obesity continues to increase. The only way to reduce the long-term chronic illness and disease that result from obesity and impact lives, society and healthcare costs is to stop it from occurring in the first place,” he said. 

During the past 10 years, Sprout pioneered a unique approach to offer healthful alternatives with complete transparency. Research now affirms that although we are born with a predisposition to sweeter foods, it’s possible to train babies’ taste buds to enjoy vegetables and savory food—and even prefer them to sweeter tastes. By forging healthy eating habits early, we actually can prevent obesity.

“Kids don’t eat enough veggies, which are key to preventing obesity,” said Sharon Palmer, MSFS, RDN and nutrition advisor to Sprout, adding, “ninety percent don’t meet the minimum daily vegetable requirement and only 27 percent of children eat vegetables on a given day. Of those who do eat vegetables, the french fry is the leading veggie consumed. Exposing children to healthier foods early—especially more vegetables—gives parents the power to train their babies’ taste buds to build healthy eating habits for a lifetime.”

Child nutrition patterns are forged by 18 months, so Palmer noted to start early and take every opportunity to train taste buds.

For more information, visit www.sproutorganicfoods.com.