Does childhood nutrition matter?

Nutrition in childhood influences both the child's present and future health. Health professionals need to educate parents from all socioeconomic groups about good nutrition for their children from birth onwards. They should give priority to including this during consultations. All parents must be made aware of the nutritional benefits of breast-feeding. Since most babies receive formula at some stage during the first year of life, health professionals also have a responsibility to be aware of current developments in infant formulae (e.g. nucleotides, long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, prebiotics) so they can give accurate information. Weaning is an important nutritional milestone with implications for present and future health. Advice on good weaning practice should be a priority and can help avoid several nutritional problems later on, such as excessively faddy eating, faltering growth, constipation, iron deficiency anaemia and obesity. The last two are key problems in children in the U.K. today. Families should be encouraged to cook, eat and enjoy food together as often as they can, which in itself has been shown to have nutritional benefits, as well as considering the quality of the food they eat.