BHF - Voluntary guidelines useful in fight against childhood obesity
17 Jan 2012 05:01 PM
New national guidelines to help nurseries and childminders provide healthy meals for young children have been unveiled by the School Food Trust.
The charity’s ‘Voluntary Food and Drink Guidelines for Early Years Settings in England’ is aimed at helping ensure healthy food in childcare venues for the under-fives to help reduce diet-related problems like childhood obesity. It provides childcare providers with a nationally-recognised source of information about food they should offer children, portion sizes and sample menus.
The School Food Trust is a specialist advisor to the Government and its new guidelines have been supported by the National Day Nurseries Association, National Childminding Association and Pre-School Learning Alliance.
Victoria Taylor, our Senior Dietitian, said: “More than a fifth of children turn up to their first day at school overweight or obese and that has to change. These guidelines look to be a positive step towards teaching children about healthy eating from an early age.
“These are only voluntary guidelines though and so it’s important that food and drink provision is closely monitored to ensure young children are enjoying balanced and nutritious food. If standards are slipping then a mandatory approach could be a better option.”