Toddler Timeline for Overweight and Obesity Behaviors

​Evidence suggests a decrease in sleep duration across all age groups over the past 20 years. The most pronounced decrease is in children younger than 3. Toddlers  between 12-36 months should sleep 12-14 hours in a 24 hour period. Good sleep hygiene should be fostered.

​By age 3, 30% of children have TVs in their bedroom Parents number one reason for placing TV s in the bedroom is as a sleep aid. TVs are often introduced into the bedroom during the transition from crib to toddler a bed which often occurs between 12 months and 24 months.​

​39% of families with children this age have the television on constantly. Research indicates this can disrupt play and activity levels for young children and interferes with language development and displaces time spent reading.​

As children transition out of pureed foods the consumption of the most nutrient rich vegetables such as  rich dark green, yellow, and orange vegetables decreases and the consumption of starchy vegetables (esp potatoes) increases.

​40% of toddlers consume fruit drinks and 11% consume carbonated beverages on any given day.

​73% of 2- to 4-year-olds watch TV daily⁷ Parents report that they view television as a peacekeeper and a safe activity for their children while they are preparing dinner, getting ready for work, or doing household chores. Many parents report feeling better knowing that the programming their children watch has been described as educational. Parents who believe that educational television is “very important for healthy development” are twice as likely to have the television on all or most of the time.

​Children under age 5 fail to meet physical activity guidelines. For 1-2 year olds this should be at least 30 minutes of structured activity and at least 60 minutes and up to several hours of unstructured play. Concerning behavior at this age is regular stroller use. Encourage parents to have their toddlers walk more during outings.

​40% of toddlers consume fruit drinks and 11% consume carbonated beverages on any given day.

​Approximately one third of 2-year-olds do not consume vegetables or fruit (other than fruit juice) on a given day.

10% consume flavored milk.

​The top five energy sources for this age group were whole milk, fruit juice, reduced-fat milk, and pasta/pasta dishes.

​25% do not eat any vegetables daily of those that do eat vegetables daily, French fries and other fried potatoes were the most commonly consumed vegetable.

​Half of all snacking calories consumed by US children come from foods known to be high in solid fats and added sugars.

​86% consumed some type of sweetened beverage, dessert, sweet or salty snack in a day. Thus, more children in this age range consumed sweetened beverages, desserts, and non-nutrient snack foods in a day than consumed distinct portions of fruits or vegetables (independently).

40% of toddlers consume fruit drinks and 11% consume carbonated beverages on any given day.

​The top five energy sources for this age group were whole milk, fruit juice, reduced-fat milk, and pasta/pasta dishes.

​25% do not eat any vegetables daily of those that do eat vegetables daily, French fries and other fried potatoes were the most commonly consumed vegetable.

​Half of all snacking calories consumed by US children come from foods known to be high in solid fats and added sugars.

​86% consumed some type of sweetened beverage, dessert, sweet or salty snack in a day. Thus, more children in this age range consumed sweetened beverages, desserts, and non-nutrient snack foods in a day than consumed distinct portions of fruits or vegetables (independently).

​40% of toddlers consume fruit drinks and 11% consume carbonated beverages on any given day.

​The top five energy sources for this age group were whole milk, fruit juice, reduced-fat milk, and pasta/pasta dishes.

​25% do not eat any vegetables daily of those that do eat vegetables daily, French fries and other fried potatoes were the most commonly consumed vegetable.

​Half of all snacking calories consumed by US children come from foods known to be high in solid fats and added sugars.

​86% consumed some type of sweetened beverage, dessert, sweet or salty snack in a day. Thus, more children in this age range consumed sweetened beverages, desserts, and non-nutrient snack foods in a day than consumed distinct portions of fruits or vegetables (independently).

​40% of toddlers consume fruit drinks and 11% consume carbonated beverages on any given day.

​The top five energy sources for this age group were whole milk, fruit juice, reduced-fat milk, and pasta/pasta dishes.

​25% do not eat any vegetables daily of those that do eat vegetables daily, French fries and other fried potatoes were the most commonly consumed vegetable.

​Half of all snacking calories consumed by US children come from foods known to be high in solid fats and added sugars.

​86% consumed some type of sweetened beverage, dessert, sweet or salty snack in a day. Thus, more children in this age range consumed sweetened beverages, desserts, and non-nutrient snack foods in a day than consumed distinct portions of fruits or vegetables (independently).

​Evidence suggests a decrease in sleep duration across all age groups over the past 20 years. The most pronounced decrease is in children younger than 3. Toddlers  between 12-36 months should sleep 12-14 hours in a 24 hour period. Good sleep hygiene should be fostered.​

​39% are using mobile devices.

​Playing outside in this age group usually results in more physical activity than indoor play.

​40% of toddlers consume fruit drinks and 11% consume carbonated beverages on any given day.

14% consume flavored milk.

​27% are still consuming whole milk.

​The top five energy sources for this age group were whole milk, fruit juice, reduced-fat milk, and pasta/pasta dishes.

25% do not eat any vegetables daily of those that do eat vegetables daily, French fries and other fried potatoes were the most commonly consumed vegetable.

​Half of all snacking calories consumed by US children come from foods known to be high in solid fats and added sugars.

​86% consumed some type of sweetened beverage, dessert, sweet or salty snack in a day. Thus, more children in this age range consumed sweetened beverages, desserts, and non-nutrient snack foods in a day than consumed distinct portions of fruits or vegetables (independently).