July 2025

New CDC Report Highlights Gaps and Opportunities in Early Childhood Nutrition

July 2025, NCCOR

CDC’s Early Childhood Nutrition Report highlights the nutritional landscape for U.S. children from birth to age five. Released in June 2025, the report offers nationwide and state-level insights into early feeding practices—including breastfeeding, introduction of solid foods, and access to nutritious meals through programs like WIC and SNAP—underscoring the critical role of early nutrition in lifelong health.

The report provides comprehensive data for policymakers, educators, and practitioners to better understand what we are doing well, and what must be improved, to improve nutrition for young children.

Four key takeaways:

1. Breastfeeding rates remain below optimal levels. While rates of ever-breastfed infants are strong, continuation to 12 months and exclusive breastfeeding for six months fall short in many states. Strengthening support in childcare settings could help extend breastfeeding duration.

2. Solid foods are introduced too early. About 1 in 10 infants receive complementary foods before four months, potentially heightening the risk for obesity. Introducing complementary foods around six months is better to support healthy development.

3. Nutrition-supportive policies are uneven across states. Only a minority of states fully integrate breastfeeding protection in childcare regulations, and many families lack adequate access to nutrition programs. The report urges broader policy alignment to ensure all young children receive a strong dietary foundation.

4. Families face affordability challenges. Roughly 1 in 4 households with young children report not being able to afford enough nutritious food, highlighting the importance of safety net programs like WIC and SNAP.

To learn more about how NCCOR supports early childhood nutrition research and policy, explore our Childhood Obesity Evidence Base (COEB)—a tool designed to identify and analyze effective early life interventions that help prevent obesity.

To access the CDC’s Early Childhood Nutrition Report and learn more, click here.

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NCCOR Toolbox: Stay Connected with NCCOR on LinkedIn!

July 2025, NCCOR

DYK: NCCOR’s LinkedIn page has exclusive articles featuring researchers and students using NCCOR tools? Our recent posts have explored the connection between lifestyle factors like sleep and physical activity, highlighted tools for evaluating policy and environmental strategies in early childhood, and featured how students and early-career researchers are using NCCOR’s Measures Registry. Don’t miss updates like these—follow us today and be part of the conversation!

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Connecting Farm to Early Care and Education Standards, Guidance, and Resources

June 4, 2025, Michigan State University

Farm to early care and education (ECE) is comprised of activities that align with three core elements: 1) increase access to nutrient-dense, locally produced foods; 2) encourage gardening; and 3) educate about food, nutrition, and agriculture in ECE settings.

Farm to ECE can be utilized across multiple settings including childcare centers, family childcare homes, Head Start programs, and preschools within K–12 school districts. These types of lessons help children learn about the origins of food and nutrition, engage in hands-on gardening activities, and take part in a variety of nutrition education activities, widely increasing its appeal.

Documenting these activities can be immensely beneficial for accreditation, licensing, or for the providers themselves. This new resource was created to aid in the documentation process for providers in the state of Michigan, cross-walking the Michigan Early Learning Guidelines with examples, the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Go NAPSACC (validated self-assessment tool available for providers), the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework, and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Early Learning Program Accreditation Standards (ELPAS).

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WIC Infant and Toddler Feeding Practices Study-2: Ninth Year Report

May 2025, U.S. Department of Agriculture

The WIC Infant and Toddler Feeding Practices Study-2 (WIC ITFPS-2), also known as the “Feeding My Baby Study,” is the only national study to analyze the long-term impact of WIC by gathering information on caregivers and children over the first nine years of the child’s life after enrollment in WIC, regardless of their continued participation in the program.

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NIH Office of Nutrition Research Strategic Plan, Fiscal Years 2026 – 2030

April 2025, National Institutes of Health

The Office of Nutrition Research (ONR) strategic plan outlines a vision with nutrition as central to whole person health from the first to last days of life, as well as across generations. Addressing diet-related chronic diseases in children and adults requires an all-hands-on-deck approach. Within NIH, ONR is taking the lead by identifying emerging scientific opportunities, rising public health challenges, and scientific gaps in the field of nutrition. Given the foundational role of nutrition in biology and health, everyone at NIH has a stake in advancing nutrition research.

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Home Visitation as an Intervention Opportunity to Prevent Childhood Obesity Within the First 2000 Days: A Scoping Review

July 2025, Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Background

Home visitation programs are uniquely positioned to reach young children during the first 2000 days of life (ages 0 to 5 years), a critical time period to prevent childhood obesity.

Objective

This scoping review aimed to identify early childhood obesity prevention interventions implemented within home visitation during the first 2000 days of life, summarize outcomes assessed, and examine if and how nonmaternal caregivers and technology were included.

Methods

Guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews, 3 databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature) were searched from January 1980 to June 2023 for obesity prevention interventions that utilized home visitation as a treatment modality, targeted children aged 5 years or younger, reported on child weight outcomes, were experimental or quasiexperimental designs with a control or comparison arm, and had full-text available in English. The quality and risk of bias of included studies were rated using the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Quality Criteria Checklist for Primary Research.

Results

Of the 871 identified articles, 21 met inclusion criteria, and all reported at least 1 obesogenic behavioral outcome in the intervention group compared with the control group. Intervention duration ranged from 4 months to 3 years, and frequency of home visits varied from weekly, biweekly, monthly, or a designated number of home visits within a defined time frame. Three interventions partnered with an established home visiting program, but home visits in all interventions were conducted by either professional or paraprofessional individuals. Nine of the 21 studies targeted other caregivers in addition to the mother, and 12 of 21 incorporated a form of technology.

Conclusions

Several different early childhood obesity prevention interventions have been implemented within home visitation during the first 2000 days of life. Future research is needed to investigate the effectiveness of these interventions on weight- and behavior-related outcomes, as well as explore the influences of the interventionist type, program duration, inclusion of nonmaternal caregivers, and use of technology on childhood obesity-related outcomes.

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Associations of Dietary Patterns and Obesity Development in School-Aged Children: Results from the CHILD Cohort Study

June 18, 2025, Obesity

Objective

We aimed to understand data-driven dietary patterns in Canadian preschoolers and their impact on obesity development among male and female individuals.

Methods

In the prospective, population-based Canadian pregnancy cohort, the CHILD Cohort Study (N = 2219), dietary intake was assessed at age 3 years using a previously developed 112-item food frequency questionnaire. At age 5 years, we measured height, weight, and waist circumference and calculated BMI and waist circumference z scores. Obesity was defined as BMI z score > 2. We used principal components analysis to derive dietary patterns and multivariable-adjusted regression analyses to determine dietary patterns’ associations with BMI and waist circumference z scores, as well as obesity status.

Results

Among Canadian preschoolers, we identified three dietary patterns: “Prudent” (high in vegetables, fruits, legumes, and fish); “Western-like” (high in fast foods, red/processed meats, and carbonated drinks); and “Refined Grain-Snack” (high in refined grains, dairy, and salty snacks). At age 5 years, 4.7% of the children were living with obesity (3.1% male individuals and 1.6% female individuals). Females adhering to the Refined Grain-Snack pattern had higher waist circumference z scores (β = 0.14; 95% CI: 0.03–0.25) and 2.74-fold odds of living with obesity (95% CI: 1.29–5.85). No significant associations were observed among male individuals or with other dietary patterns and obesity outcomes among female individuals.

Conclusions

Preschool dietary patterns are associated with sex-biased obesity development, highlighting the need for further research to explore these differences and inform targeted obesity prevention strategies during this important developmental period.

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Playing Alone: Recess Physical Activity and Social Interactions of Children with and Without Obesity and Severe Obesity

June 12, 2025, Childhood Obesity

Background

This study aimed to compare recess physical activity, social behaviors, and social/school perceptions among children with obesity and severe obesity and those without obesity.

Methods

Recess observations were done using the System of Observing Children’s Activity and Relationships during Play. School climate surveys and anthropometric measurements were also completed. A total of 414 observations from 160 (52% female) children were collected at four schools in Little Rock, AR, during three semesters from 2023 to 2024. Children were in kindergarten through 5th grade. Linear mixed-effects models were used to estimate adjusted associations.

Results

Thirteen percent of observations reflected children with severe obesity, 21% were from children with obesity, and 66% were from children with a BMI below the 95th percentile on the age- and gender-specific reference growth charts. Overall, children were engaged in moderate–vigorous physical activity 64% of the time and played alone 22% of the time. Positive play was observed 50% of the time. Children with severe obesity played alone 8% (p < 0.05) more than the reference group without obesity. There was no evidence of an inverse association between obesity and physical activity. Surveys from upper elementary children showed no differences in self-reports of being happy, having friends, or enjoying recess by weight status.

Conclusions

While we observed more alone play at recess among children with severe obesity, we did not observe less physical activity or more negative play experiences among children with obesity or severe obesity. Recess appears to be beneficial regardless of weight status, both socially and for physical activity.

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Family Ties and Health: Exploring the Link Between Parents’ Social Networks and Child Obesity

June 9, 2025, Childhood Obesity

Background

African American (AA) and Hispanic children are at high risk of developing obesity. Social networks are powerful drivers of health behaviors and outcomes. Parent social network characteristics may influence child health behaviors and obesity risk.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional, observational study of parents of AA and Hispanic children 2–4 years. The social network survey was adapted from The Important and Health Matters Social Network Battery (PhenX Toolkit). Child health behavior questions were from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Child body mass index z-score (BMIz) was calculated based on measured height and weight at the child’s most recent well-child visit. Linear regression models identified associations between parent network characteristics, BMIz, and child health behaviors. Participants included 44 parents of Hispanic children and 74 parents of AA children.

Results

Parents of Hispanic children named fewer supportive alters (network members) than parents of AA children (3.7 vs. 5.0, p < 0.1). A higher number of stressful parent relationships was associated with higher child BMIz (β = 0.2, p < 0.05). For parents of AA children, a higher number of supportive alters was associated with more hours of child weekday (β = 0.2) and weekend sleep (β = 0.2) and less child weekday screen time (β = −0.2) (all p < 0.05). For parents of Hispanic children, a higher number of alters with whom the parent discusses important matters was associated with more hours of child weekday sleep (β = 0.3, p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Parent social network characteristics are population-specific and associated with child health behaviors and BMIz. Augmenting supportive parent relationships and stress coping may reduce child obesity risk.

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Independent and Joint Prospective Associations of Screen Time and Sleep Disturbance with Body Mass Index and Waist Circumference Among U.S. Adolescents

June 6, 2025, Childhood Obesity

Background

We examined the independent and joint prospective associations of screen time, sleep disturbance, and sleep duration with body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) stratified by sex.

Methods

Data are from 7445 participants (47.3% females) aged 9–10 years at baseline (2016–2018) in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study. Missing data were imputed, and weighted multivariable linear regression models estimated the independent and joint effects of screen time and sleep disturbance or sleep duration on BMI and WC after 2 years. Joint associations grouped participants by combinations of screen time and sleep, with low screen time and sufficient sleep or no sleep disturbance as the reference groups.

Results

Screen time was significantly associated with higher BMI (B = 0.32; 95% CI: 0.19, 0.45; p < 0.001) and WC (B = 0.40; 95% CI: 0.23, 0.56; p < 0.001). Sleep disturbance was associated with higher BMI (B = 1.23; 95% CI: 0.14, 2.33; p 0.026) in males. Insufficient sleep (<9 hours) (B = 1.30; 95% CI: 0.53, 2.07; p < 0.001) was associated with higher BMI. Medium screen time without sleep disturbance or insufficient sleep, and medium and high screen time with either sleep problem were associated with higher BMI and WC. Low screen time with insufficient sleep and high screen time with sufficient sleep were associated with higher BMI. Associations were generally stronger among males, particularly with high screen time.

Conclusion

Screen time and insufficient sleep were independently and jointly associated with higher BMI and WC 2 years later, especially when both were present.

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Prescriptions for Obesity Medications Among Adolescents Aged 12–17 Years with Obesity — United States, 2018–2023

June 5, 2025, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention

Abstract

Obesity affects approximately one in five U.S. adolescents. Although an increasing number of medications are approved for adolescent obesity as an adjunct to health behavior and lifestyle treatment, national data on the prevalence and correlates of obesity medication prescribing for adolescents are sparse. Ambulatory electronic medical record data were analyzed to assess trends in the proportion of U.S. adolescents aged 12–17 years with obesity (body mass index ≥95th percentile) who were prescribed Food and Drug Administration (FDA) –approved obesity medications during 2018–2023. Log-binomial models were used to estimate characteristics of adolescents associated with receiving an obesity medication prescription in 2023. The proportion of U.S. adolescents who were prescribed obesity medications increased substantially in 2023 (by approximately 300% compared with 2020), the year after FDA expanded its approval of two obesity medications to include adolescents and after publication of the 2023 American Academy of Pediatrics clinical practice guideline. Despite this substantial relative increase, 0.5% of adolescents with obesity were prescribed an obesity medication in 2023, with a majority (83%) of prescriptions received by adolescents with severe obesity. Semaglutide (Wegovy, indicated for persons aged ≥12 years with obesity), and phentermine or phentermine-topiramate were most commonly prescribed. Prescribing prevalence was higher among girls than among boys (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] = 2.05), among adolescents aged 15–17 years than among those aged 12–14 years (aPR = 2.24), and among those with severe (class 2 or class 3) obesity than among those with class 1 obesity (aPR = 4.03 and 12.78, respectively). Prescribing prevalence was lower among Black or African American adolescents than among White adolescents (aPR = 0.61). Continued monitoring of the use of these medications could help guide strategies to ensure that all adolescents with obesity have access to evidence-based obesity treatment, including medications and health behavior and lifestyle interventions.

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