‘[Recognise] families with children are an asset for the future’ is a message at the heart of 4Children’s new #Fair4Families campaign. In advance of the Budget 2013 statement, the campaign calls for action to be taken to support families with children as an ‘investment in the future of our country’. The Infant & Toddler Forum (ITF) very much supports this campaign, with a shared call for the improvement of health outcomes for young children.
It is now widely accepted that what happens to children in their earliest years is key to outcomes in adult life with good parenting and the opportunities for learning and development recognised as key in determining whether a child’s potential is realised. Furthermore, the reality of health in Britain today paints a compelling picture with many at risk of dying prematurely due to diet related ill-health.
Dr Atul Singhal, Professor of Paediatric Nutrition at the UCL Institute of Child Health and Chair of the ITF, said: “Although some early intervention strategies are in place to tackle health and social inequalities, it is clear that more investment is needed if we are to ensure all children get the best start in life. We are supporting 4Children in this campaign to highlight the current impact of poor nutritional and physical health in children. Early nutrition needs to be considered a key element if early intervention strategies are to be effective.
This year the Forum is encouraging a step wise approach to nutrition placing the emphasis on simple, practical advice so that families can take small steps towards better health and well-being improvements now and in the future.”
Visit www.4children.org.uk to read more about #Fair4Families and make that first step and visit the ITF website to access our latest ‘back to basics’ advice for toddlers www.infantandtoddlerforum.org
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Notes to editors
1. The 2013 Infant & Toddler Forum Study Day for practitioners is taking place on the 31st October at The Royal Society of Medicine, London.
2. The Infant & Toddler Forum brings together an independent, multi-disciplinary team of experts and practitioners from paediatrics, neonatology, health visiting, dietetics, and child psychology, to share new ideas and to debate the latest thinking in infant and toddler nutrition. Best practice guidance on food and feeding for all young families is paramount for children’s health and wellbeing now and in the future. For more than eight years the Forum and its partners have strived to raise awareness and promote positive change in the field of toddler nutrition and feeding behaviour, with all guidance being in alignment with DH increased emphasis on early years intervention.
3. The Infant & Toddler Forum is supported by an educational grant from Danone Baby Nutrition. All resources produced by the Forum represent the independent views of the Forum with whom copyright rests.
4. Alongside other leading children and families charities the Infant & Toddler Forum is supporting the Fair4Families campaign. As the cost of food, petrol and childcare continues to rise – while child benefits and tax credits are reduced – many families are struggling financially. To ensure that families are made a priority in the 2013 Budget and Comprehensive Spending Review later in the year, the campaign is calling on the Government to introduce a ‘triple lock’ for families. To find out more about the triple lock and the Fair4Families campaign, please visit www.4children.org.uk/Page/Fair4Families and show your support by signing the petition at http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/45054