Toddler Milk: A Scoping Review of Research on Consumption, Perceptions, and Marketing Practices

Citation

Richter, Ana Paula C.; Grummon, Anna H.; Falbe, Jennifer; Taillie, Lindsey Smith; Wallace, Deshira D.; Lazard, Allison J.; Golden, Shelley D.; Conklin, Jamie L.; & Hall, Marissa G. (Online ahead of print). Toddler Milk: A Scoping Review of Research on Consumption, Perceptions, and Marketing Practices. Nutrition Reviews. PMCID: PMC Journal - In Process

Abstract

Toddler milk is an ultra-processed beverage consisting primarily of powdered milk, caloric sweeteners, and vegetable oil. Pediatric health authorities do not support the use of toddler milk, and emerging evidence suggests that toddler-milk marketing practices may mislead consumers. However, studies have not synthesized the extent of toddler-milk marketing practices or how these practices affect parents' decisions about whether to serve toddler milk. We aimed to summarize the literature about toddler milk to identify what is known about: (1) parents' toddler-milk purchasing and feeding behaviors, (2) toddler-milk marketing, and (3) how marketing practices influence parents' beliefs and perceptions about toddler milk. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR), we systematically searched 8 databases (PubMed, APA PsycINFO, Scopus, Cochrane Central, Embase, CINAHL, Communication & Mass Media Complete, and Business Source Premier). We identified 45 articles about toddler milk. Studies were conducted in 25 countries across 6 continents. Five types of findings emerged: (1) consumption and feeding behaviors, (2) demographic correlates of toddler-milk purchasing and consumption, (3) misperceptions and beliefs, (4) increased sales, and (5) increased marketing and responses to marketing. The included articles suggested that toddler-milk sales are growing rapidly worldwide. Findings also revealed that toddler-milk packages (eg, labels, branding) resemble infant formula packages and that toddler-milk marketing practices may indirectly advertise infant formula. Purchasing, serving, and consumption of toddler milk were higher in Black and Hispanic populations than in non-Hispanic White populations, and parents with higher educational attainment and income were more likely to offer toddler milk to their children. Findings suggest a need for policies to prevent cross-marketing of toddler milk and infant formula, reduce provision of toddler milk to infants and toddlers, and prevent caregivers from being misled about toddler-milk healthfulness.

URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuad057

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year Published

Online ahead of print

Journal Title

Nutrition Reviews

Author(s)

Richter, Ana Paula C.
Grummon, Anna H.
Falbe, Jennifer
Taillie, Lindsey Smith
Wallace, Deshira D.
Lazard, Allison J.
Golden, Shelley D.
Conklin, Jamie L.
Hall, Marissa G.

Article Type

Regular

PMCID

PMC Journal - In Process

ORCiD

Richter - 0000-0001-6987-8741
Hall - 0000-0002-8690-9498
Wallace - 0000-0003-1300-6957
Taillie - 0000-0002-4555-2525