Children under five years old need fat and carbohydrates, but so many parents worry about their children becoming overweight that they are restricting them to low calorie diets.
- A government study of nursery schools in 29 British councils found that some were offering children inadequate amounts of food because of pressure from parents.
- Some parents wanted their children to eliminate red meat, whole milk, and desserts, and yet the very young children cannot yet obtain adequate nutrition from fruits and vegetables alone.
"It is important that parents do not apply healthy eating messages designed for the whole population to small children," said Prof. Helen Crawley. "Poor nutritional status in toddlerhood is linked to permanent cognitive damage and a child never reaching their full potential, as well as shorter stature in adulthood."
Labels: diet, nutrition, parenting, health, toddlers
Posted By: Aspen/CRC
