Dr Pauline Emmett was invited to speak at a Parliamentary Cross-Party Group on a Fit and Healthy Childhood, during a Zoom meeting chaired by Marie Goldman MP. Her presentation focused on nutrition in the early years of childhood and was titled “Should We Have an Overall Nutrition Strategy?”
The talk highlighted gaps between current nutritional knowledge and how it is applied in feeding young children, emphasising that any effective strategy should start within the home. It also addressed concerns raised by parents in focus groups, particularly around fussy eating and the confusion caused by conflicting nutrition messages. While parents reported that NHS websites are helpful, they often feel misled by the advertising and labelling of food and drink products marketed for infants and toddlers.
The presentation prompted a constructive discussion stressing that hands-on support for parents must be at the heart of the best nutrition strategy for children.