(ARA) - This year the nation welcomed the birth of the 300 millionth American, 39 years after we reached the 200 millionth milestone.
Today's world is very different than the U.S. of 1967 when the 200 millionth birth occurred. Between then and now, the size of our average household went down while the number of women working outside the home when up -- in 1967 the average household size was 3.3 people compared to 2.6 people today. Back then, 41 percent of women worked outside the home compared to 59 percent in 2006. Preferences have changed along with the times. For example, in 1967, the most popular baby names were Michael and Lisa. Today, Jacob and Emily top the list.
The American diet has changed, too. Surprisingly, French fries are the most commonly consumed vegetable today for toddlers between 15 and 24 months, and the serving size is twice the size of any other cooked vegetable, according to the "Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study" (FITS), sponsored by Gerber Products Company. Furthermore, the groundbreaking study showed that nearly 25 percent of toddlers between 19 and 24 months old are not eating a single fruit or vegetable in a day!
Starting sound nutrition practices is very important, as the number of overweight children ages six to18 has nearly quadrupled since the late 1960s. Physicians and nutritionists agree that it's imperative that we help our children learn healthy eating habits at an early age.
Dr. Kathleen Reidy, Vice President of Nutrition and Regulatory Affairs, Gerber Products Company, offers this advice: "Parents should try feeding their babies different healthy food varieties at an early age to help increase their likelihood of trying new foods later in life. For instance, we know that babies may need 10 to 15 tries before accepting a new food. Research also shows that providing children under the age of two with a wide array of fruits and vegetables may help establish healthy eating behaviors that may help them avoid obesity."
Dr. Reidy also cautions parents that the "clean your plate" philosophy is outdated and parents should instead focus on their baby's hunger and fullness cues. She said, "Babies are born with the natural ability to know when they are full. Sometimes well-intentioned parents inadvertently overfeed their babies, which can contribute to a child losing the ability to naturally know when they are full."
To help America welcome its 300 millionth, Gerber is offering a special commemorative baby book for new moms and dads to celebrate parenthood and special milestones with their infant. Gerber's "Your Baby Book" features useful information for parents regarding nutrition and feeding advice and pages to record immunizations and track baby's growth, including height and weight measurements.
To request a free commemorative baby book, parents can call the Gerber Parents Resource Center at 1-800-4-GERBER to receive their own copy while supplies last.
