Infant and Toddler Forum supporting statement in response to the Montpellier Panel briefing paper launched 17 May 2011

The Montpellier Panel recently presented a briefing urging governments to help tackle early years undernutrition, especially in developing countries, with committed funds and decisive action. The Panel is also calling for increased investment in the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Framework, which recommends the action needed to improve the health of pregnant women, mothers and children under the age of two.

As experts in early years nutrition and child development, the Infant & Toddler Forum supports the evidence-based guidance provided by the SUN Framework and reiterates the Panel’s call to governments for significant action, although not just for developing countries. Many toddlers in the UK currently have a sub-optimal diet and show micronutrient deficiencies of iron, zinc and vitamin D. Iron, zinc and vitamins A and D are all crucial for optimizing growth, health and development in the early years of life.

“The Infant & Toddler Forum aims to provide health and childcare professionals, parents and carers with practical help and information on nutrition and development in the early years, including Factsheets on ‘Nutrients: Functions, Sources & Requirements’, ‘Common Nutritional Problems in Toddlers’, and ‘Iron Deficiency Anaemia in Toddlers”.

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