How much you serve up often determines how much your child will eat. Let them listen to their own bodies to know when they are full
Keeping our children healthy in today’s busy world is often easier said than done. Rhian Kirkby reveals how simple changes to their diet can make all the difference
According to the government, by the age of 11 one in three children in England is overweight, and if trends continue, half of all children will be overweight or obese by 2020.
The figures may sound shocking, but sadly they are true, with MPs even going as far as to describe the issue as a ?national emergency? and a problem which costs the NHS £5.1 billion each year.
The need for drastic action to avert this crisis has been well documented over the last couple of years, with the likes of chef Jamie Oliver championing the move for change. But while campaigners push for some ?big-picture? solutions to the problem, parents are being encouraged to look a little closer to home. Portion control
Research from the Infant & Toddler Forum shows that nearly 80 per cent of pre-schoolers are being given too much to eat, with 10 per cent of parents routinely serving up adult-sized portions for their little ones.
?Parents are much more likely to worry that their child is underweight, rather than overweight,? explains paediatric nutritionist Judy More, ?and as a result, children are often encouraged to eat more than they need.? She advises parents to respect their child?s ability to know ...