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Helping under
5s get the best start in life
New guidelines,
contained in the document Nutrition
matters for the early years, will help childcare providers
to provide a balanced diet for under 5s in their care. Details
of the guidelines were revealed today at a seminar organised
by the Health Promotion Agency for Northern Ireland at The
Edge, Belfast.
Angela McComb,
Regional Health Promotion Manager for Nutrition at the Health
Promotion Agency said: "In Northern Ireland around 40,000
children under 5 years of age are in full or half-day care
in nurseries, playgroups, crèches or childminding facilities.
This is a significant number of children who will be eating
a large proportion of their meals and snacks away from their
own home.
"Many of the
serious health problems that develop during adulthood are
influenced by the food eaten during the early years of life.
Eating well at an early age can help to protect and promote
the health of our young people. That is why it is important
that childcare providers in nurseries and playgroups get this
document which will assist them in providing the best nutrition
for the children in their care. This will be a real investment
for the health of our population in years to come."
Nutrition
matters for the early years, was prepared by the Health
Promotion Agency working with an inter-agency group including
health visitors, social workers from Early Years Teams in
Health and Social Services Trusts, oral health professionals,
community and paediatric dietitians and childcare providers.
Angela concluded:
"The guidelines provide practical information on a range of
topics including weaning, menu planning and food safety as
well as ways of coping with fussy eaters. They aim to ensure
that all children in day nurseries and playgroups are given
the very best start in life."
Nutrition
matters for the early years also contains information
about planning menus for vegetarian children, children from
ethnic minority groups and those with special dietary needs.
It will be distributed to all nurseries and play groups by
the Early Years Teams.
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