Washington DC [USA], Jul 24 (ANI): According to a study of more than 10,000 children in rural Pennsylvania, most children are fed foods that are high in sugar and salt in the first year of their life. Experts say that exposing babies to sweet or salty foods can affect their taste buds, and over time, they develop bad habits. "Given that these foods are not recommended for children, these numbers are concerning," said Carolyn F. McCabe, PhD, a staff scientist in the Department of Human Health and the Center for Obesity and Metabolic Research at Geisinger. "Early exposure to foods and beverages high in sugar, fat, and sodium can have negative consequences for the healthy growth and development of infants and children." "Early life is a critical time to establish eating habits and food preferences, and these interests and behaviors around food can persist as children grow," McCabe said. She added that early exposure to these foods can mean that some children are not getting the healthy nutrients they need for proper nutrition. "Babies and young people have a small age, so it's important to make everyone suffer together." For the study, researchers analyzed the questions given at the well-child visit for 10,614 babies up to 26 months who visited Geisinger, a health system serving rural Pennsylvania between 2016 and 2020. In addition to the early introduction of foods high in sugar, fat, and sodium, the study found that less than half of the babies were eating only breast milk and / or six months recommended. 29 percent of children received flavored cereal and 1 in 10 sugary drinks before the age of 2. Children living in rural areas face many health and economic challenges. One in five rural children live in poverty, and rural children are 25% more likely than non-rural children. These differences make it even more important to ensure that rural families are aware of child nutrition standards and have the resources they need to follow them, McCabe said.