Watch our video as we explore the potentially long-term health implications of overfeeding your child, as new research shows the majority of toddlers are being offered much more food than they should be, with many regularly being given adult sized portions
Parenting on Female First
A majority of parents are unwittingly giving their toddlers too much food, putting them at risk of obesity, according to new research from leading health and nutrition experts the Infant & Toddler Forum (ITF).
The survey of 1000 UK mums and dads revealed that 79% of parents routinely offer portions bigger than the recommended size range for pre-schoolers when serving popular meals, such as spaghetti bolognese, drinks, and treats.
The survey involved parents looking at images of portion sizes and revealed that over one in ten parents usually serve their child close to an adult-size portion of spaghetti bolognese or cheese sandwiches.
In response to the survey findings the ITF, supported by 4Children, Family Lives, and the Pre-school Learning Alliance, is launching the #rethinktoddlerportionsizes campaign. The campaign aims to encourage all families to rethink how much is on the plates of their young children, and is calling for guidance on appropriate portion sizes for families of young children to be a key public health strategy in the fight against obesity.
So just how much should you be feeding your child and should there be more specific guidelines to help parents figure out how much is too much? Watch our video where we ask mums their thoughts on the issue as well as hearing expert advice from paediatric dietitian, Judy More and child and clinical psychologist, Gill Harris.
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