January 16, 2012
Voluntary guidelines useful in fight against childhood
obesity
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.”