Child growth rises to the top of the agenda for Infant and Toddler Forum

Citation

(2007), "Child growth rises to the top of the agenda for Infant and Toddler Forum", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 37 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/nfs.2007.01737dab.034

Child growth rises to the top of the agenda for Infant and Toddler Forum

Child growth rises to the top of the agenda for Infant and Toddler Forum

The importance of monitoring the growth of young children has never been more acute. The prevalence of childhood obesity and the government's commitment to halt its rising levels by 2010 has thrust health and childcare professions into the frontline of the battle to halt this epidemic. Equally, it is important to identify the early signs of poor nutrition and inadequate growth.

There remains debate regarding the benefits of routinely measuring growth, the ages when measurements should be made or recorded and thresholds for action. In addition, healthcare professionals acknowledge that measuring, plotting and interpreting results is not simple and training is limited.

The current lack of guidance has created inconsistencies in the way that childhood growth monitoring is undertaken, revealing a patchwork of practice across the UK and a call for national protocols.

The Infant and Toddler Forum's 2007 educational programme will focus specifically on the needs of health visitors and community practitioners, who play a critical role in monitoring child growth and are the first-in-line contact for parents. This programme is supported by an educational grant from Nutricia Ltd. The educational initiatives include: healthcare professional study days, a continuing fact sheet programme, an educational website and a new online interactive growth tool.

Study Days 2007 – "A Growing Issue – understanding and promoting healthy growth and development in toddlers"

Building on the success of its 2006 Study Day Programme, The Forum will be running three study days in 2007, in London (27 September), Birmingham (28 November) and Leeds (13 December). The agenda focuses on some of the key issues in growth management such as:

1. 1.

   What should we measure and when?

2. 2.

   How do we recognise normal growth and failure to thrive?

3. 3.

   What constitutes a "balanced diet"?

For more information about Study Days including registration details, and more information about the Infant and Toddler Forum's educational initiatives, visit the website at www.infantandtoddlerforum.org or call the Study Day hotline on 0800 781 7194.