Driving Research and Advocacy for Healthy Infant and Toddler Diets: The Infant and Toddler Foods Research Alliance.

Abstract

Early childhood (0-36 months) is a critical time for the development of healthy dietary behaviours. This paper describes the establishment of the Infant and Toddler Foods Research Alliance in Australia and New Zealand, along with the development of the Alliance's priorities to guide research and advocacy activities for improved nutrition, health and well-being outcomes in early childhood. The multi-disciplinary Alliance includes a membership of academics, practitioners and advocates working in the fields of infant and toddler food and nutrition across Australia and New Zealand. The Alliance undertook a priority setting process across a series of member meetings with identified priorities subsequently refined by a core membership working group. Three priority themes, along with three cross-cutting impact areas were identified. The priority themes include commercial foods and milks for infants and toddlers; health and care settings and systems; and support for parents and carers. The cross-cutting impact areas include building evidence, translating evidence, and advocacy. This provides a framework to guide research, practice and advocacy, identify research gaps, and advance action to improve nutrition, health and well-being outcomes for infants and toddlers.