Age of introducing cereal grains to infants and the risk of wheat allergy

Foods containing the cereal grains wheat, barley rye and oats are usually not given to  infants until after 6 months in order to reduce the risk of allergy   A recent study, looking at the age introduction of cereal grains and the development of wheat allergy has found that delaying the introduction cereal grains beyond 6 months of age may actually increase the risk of developing wheat allergy.

New Zealand Food and Nutrition Guidelines for Healthy Infants and Toddlers (0-2years) - A background paper

The New Zealand Ministry of Health has released the revised 2008 guidelines for feeding healthy infants and toddlers.  The paper is written as a resource for health professionals  (nurses, dietitians, doctors), child care providers, health educators and teachers.

When should solids be introduced to reduce the risk of allergy?

The current recommendation of delaying solids till 6 months continues to be challenged.  ESPGHAN  recommends introducing solids between 17 weeks (4 months) and no later than 26 weeks ( 6 months), depending on the infants developmental needs (1). This position is supported by a recent paper authored by Australian and New Zealand doctors who also question current recommendations in the context of the rising rates of food allergies in early childhood (2).

Ethnicity,culture and social class can influence childhood obesity

A large study of 7889 primary and state high school children across Australia found males were more obese than females and obesity was more common in students of Pacific Islander background. In primary school 6.4% of males and 5.6% of females were obese, while in high school 7.7% of males and 5.7% of females were obese.