Harrod-Wild Kate
J Fam Health Care. 2007;17(3):89-91.
Nutrition in childhood influences both the child's present and future health. Health professionals need to educate parents from all socioeconomic groups about good nutrition for their children from birth onwards. They should give priority to including this during consultations. All parents must be made aware of the nutritional benefits of breast-feeding. Since most babies receive formula at some stage during the first year of life, health professionals also have a responsibility to be aware of current developments in infant formulae (e.g. nucleotides, long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, prebiotics) so they can give accurate information. Weaning is an important nutritional milestone with implications for present and future health. Advice on good weaning practice should be a priority and can help avoid several nutritional problems later on, such as excessively faddy eating, faltering growth, constipation, iron deficiency anaemia and obesity. The last two are key problems in children in the U.K. today. Families should be encouraged to cook, eat and enjoy food together as often as they can, which in itself has been shown to have nutritional benefits, as well as considering the quality of the food they eat.
儿童期的营养状况会影响孩子当下及未来的健康。医疗保健专业人员需要向各个社会经济群体的家长宣传从孩子出生起就应给予其良好营养的知识。在诊疗过程中，他们应优先开展此项教育。必须让所有家长都了解母乳喂养的营养益处。由于大多数婴儿在出生后的第一年都会在某个阶段接受配方奶粉喂养，医疗保健专业人员还有责任了解婴儿配方奶粉的当前发展情况（如核苷酸、长链多不饱和脂肪酸、益生元），以便能够提供准确信息。断奶是一个重要的营养里程碑，对当下和未来的健康都有影响。关于良好断奶做法的建议应成为优先事项，这有助于避免日后出现一些营养问题，如挑食过度、生长发育迟缓、便秘、缺铁性贫血和肥胖。后两者是当今英国儿童面临的关键问题。应鼓励家庭尽可能多地一起烹饪、用餐并享受美食，这本身已被证明具有营养益处，同时还要考虑他们所食用食物的质量。
