Why is a balanced and nutritious diet essential for young children?
A healthy, balanced diet and regular physical activity are essential for children’s health and
wellbeing. Research confirms that healthy eating habits in the years before school are
very important because they influence a range of health and development outcomes in
later life.
Good nutrition is important for children aged under five to:
• ensure that they get the right amount of energy (calories) and nutrients needed while
they are growing rapidly
• ensure that they do not consume too much energy (calories), which may lead to children
becoming overweight or obese
• encourage them to eat a wide variety of foods and develop good dietary habits to
take with them into later childhood and beyond.
What is the current health status of young children in England?
• Over a fifth of children are either overweight or obese by the time they join reception
class in primary school (their final year in the EYFS).
• Type II diabetes, which usually appears in adulthood, is starting to be seen among
some overweight children.
• Dental health is poor in many young children.
• Cases of rickets are appearing more frequently.
• More than one in four young children in the UK may be at risk of iron deficiency, which
is linked to slower intellectual development and poor behaviour in the longer term. Cases of rickets
are appearing more frequently.
• More than one in four young children in the UK may be at risk of iron deficiency, which is linked to slower intellectual development and poor behaviour in the longer term.
In recent years, changes in children’s diets have affected their nutrient intakes with some children eating foods that are low in energy, iron and vitamin A, and high in saturated fat, sugars and salt. In addition, many young children also eat fewer than the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables each day.
What is a healthy, balanced, nutritious diet for children aged one to four years?
A healthy balanced diet for children aged one to four years is based on the four food groups listed below, which provide a range of essential nutrients that children need to grow and develop.
Potatoes, bread, rice, pasta and other starchy carbohydrates
Fruit and vegetables
Beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat and other proteins
Dairy and alternatives
Guidelines for deserts, puddings and cakes
One of the basic principles of healthy eating is variety, as eating a wider range of different foods provides a better balance of nutrients. Planning meals and snacks to include a variety of food and drinks from these four food groups each day will provide children with the good balance of nutrients they need.
