STRONG Kids 2: A Cells-to-Society Approach to Nutrition in Early Childhood

STRONG Kids 2: A Cells to Society Approach to Nutrition Overview Using a cells-to-society approach to nutrition, this transdisciplinary project will provide unique insights into how individual biology interacts with the family environment to promote healthy eating habits in young children. It is one of the first studies to take a longitudinal look at the habits, including milk and dairy consumption, from birth. STRONG Kids 2 is built upon previous research from STRONG Kids 1 with preschool-aged children, documenting the relationship among genetic, child, and family factors in predicting BMI and dietary habits. The study sample includes 450 infants and their families located in small urban communities in central Illinois. Biological samples and height and weight measurements from infants and toddlers are collected at 6 weeks, 3, 12, 18 months and annually from ages 2 through 12 years of age. Mothers are surveyed about weaning, dietary habits, household routines, children's emotions, feeding styles, and milk and dairy consumption. Additional measures such as maternal height and weight are also being collected.