Investigating the nutritional quality of the dietary provision for the under fives

With an increase in adult disease relating to poor diet choices, the early years are a crucial time for intervention. Obesity in childhood is more likely to lead to obesity in adulthood and the associated risks of age-related diseases such as CVD and diabetes. These and other age-related diseases including osteoporosis and bone fracture have been linked to specific nutrients such as particular fats, cholesterol, GI, fibre, fruits, vegetables, calcium and vitamin D. The nursery setting offers an excellent opportunity to deliver food messages and practices that can either have a positive or a negative effect on the child's health with long-lasting consequences. The current project was a pilot study comprising 12 nurseries from the NE of England; food provision comparisons were made between nurseries who had received council-run nutrition training (group A) with those that had no training (group B) using ANOVA and T tests. Data was compared with the Caroline Walker Trust dietary requirement guidelines for children between the ages of 1–4.