SAN JOSE, Calif. - Worldwide, the children??s food and drink market will continue to expand, reaching $89.3 billion in five years, CandyIndustry.com reports. Fueling this growth is more awareness of health issues, lack of time and the increasing interest in convenience and functional foods, according to "Kids?? Food and Beverages: A Global Strategic Business Report" from Global Industry Analysts.

With "nutrition is imperative for mental and physical development of a child, and this is something parents understand innately," researchers posit growth in "healthy snacks [as] a nutritious way to incorporate vital nutrients and vitamins to a well-proportioned diet."

Even though the United States and other countries are in the midst of an economic downturn, " "kids?? food and beverages have remained largely shielded from the recessionary blues," the report revealed.

"Rising, and uncompromising emphasis on child health and wellness, coupled with growing awareness and benefits of the right dietary habits, are helping consumers spend more on products that offer greater value. Continuous product innovations will additionally help keep consumer interests sufficiently kindled. A new legion of snack products are rapidly emerging that use sugar and fat replacers, new functional ingredients, and new cooking processes to make them wholesome and healthier," the authors wrote.