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New report explores critical role of nutrition in the early years

On
May 14, 2025

by Jess Gibson

High poverty rates, increasing food prices and the poor nutritional content of commercial baby and toddler foods are some of the core barriers to good nutrition in the early years, according to a new report by The Food Foundation.

Boosting early years nutrition to support a healthy childhood, funded by The Waterloo Foundation, is the final publication in a series by The Food Foundation that has progressed, stage-by-stage, through a child鈥檚 early years.  

This final report explores the role of nutrition in the early years and the consumption of food in and out of the home 鈥 including factors that act as barriers or facilitators to good early years nutrition and positive health outcomes 鈥 drawing on both new and existing research, case studies, and insights from both providers and parents surrounding the diet and health of under-fives.  

According to the report, by the time children in England start school, more than a fifth are overweight or living with obesity, and a quarter have evidence of tooth decay.  

The core barriers highlighted in the report are: affordability; the marketing and poor nutritional quality of commercial baby and toddler foods and formulas; lack of clarity and support on nutrition standards; and minimal support and funding for early years settings to deliver nutritious food. The report states that these barriers lead to diets high in fat, sugar and salt but low in fruit, vegetables, and essential micronutrients. 

The report suggests a set of policy recommendations to combat poor nutrition in children, some of which include: 

  • improving the Healthy Start scheme by expanding the eligibility criteria and providing support to eligible families

  • ensuring that free early years meals are accessible to all low-income families 

  • strengthening rules around the nutritional composition and marketing of commercial baby foods and formulas 

  • providing adequate funding and support for the delivery of nutritious food in early years settings  

  • developing 鈥渁 clear pathway鈥 to mandatory nutrition standards. 

The full report by The Food Foundation can be accessed .