Babies weaned on finger foods less fat

NOTTINGHAM, England, Feb. 14 (UPI) -- Babies weaned using solid finger food are more likely to develop healthier food preferences than those who are spoon-fed pureed food, British researchers say.

Study co-author Dr. Ellen Townsend, an associate professor in the School of Psychology at the University of Nottingham in England, said the study also found the babies weaned using solid finger food were less likely to become overweight as children than those who are spoon-fed pureed food.

The researchers examined the impact of weaning style on food preferences and body mass index in early childhood in a sample of 155 children.

"Although numerous studies have focused on when to introduce solid foods into an infant's diet there is a dearth of evidence concerning the impact of different weaning methods on food preferences and health prospects," Townsend said in a statement. "We believe our report is the first piece of research to examine whether weaning method can influence food preferences and the future health of the child."

The findings were published in the British Medical Journal Open.