Toddlers’ eating habits may harm long-term health

UK toddlers are consuming more calories and protein than recommended, potentially putting them at risk of obesity in later life, according to UCL research. The study, published today in the British Journal of Nutrition, shows children's diets are lacking in fibre, vitamin D and iron but contain too much sodium, which could lead to serious future health problems. Lead author of the study, Hayley Syrad (UCL Epidemiology and Health) said: "The research suggests that the current diets of young children in England are a cause for concern. We know that dietary preferences and habits are established during the first two years of life and that what we eat in early life can have an enduring impact on our health. "Studies have identified increased protein in early life as a risk factor for obesity and high intakes of sodium are worrying because they may set taste preferences for the future, increasing the risk of raised blood pressure in later life." Data were collected from 2236 children in 2008/9 from one of the UK's largest dietary datasets for toddlers, the Gemini twin birth cohort. Researchers found that the daily calorie intake of toddlers was 7% higher than recommended by public health nutrition guidelines. Protein intake was approximately three times higher than recommended, with almost 100% of toddlers exceeding the recommendation set by the Department of Health (DH).