Report shows how babies are fed junk food

CHILDREN as young as six months old are being fed crisps, chocolate pudding and sugary drinks, according to a report launched by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).

The report, entitled

‘Scientific Recommendations for a National Infant Feeding Policy in Ireland’, has outlined a number of concerns with current feeding trends among infants in Ireland.

One of the main concerns, according to the report, is that almost three quarters of babies are being weaned onto solid foods too early.

The report highlighted how children as young as six months are eating unhealthy foods such as crisps and chocolate, which could lead to obesity problems later in life.

Commenting on the report’s findings, Dr Mary Flynn, Chief Specialist of Public Health Nutrition at the FSAI, said:

“It is now recognised worldwide that the first 1,000 days of a human’s life – starting at conception and ending at age two years – presents a unique opportunity to shape healthier futures. How well humans grow and develop during this time can have far-reaching effects on health in childhood and throughout adult life.

?

She added:

“We now know that health problems that affect many adults in Ireland today may be partly due to the inadequacy of their mother’s diet during pregnancy and how they were fed as babies – especially during the first year of life. Infants are not

‘small adults’ and good feeding practice is quite a complex process.

?

The report was recently launched at an FSAI conference and those in attendance were provided with a

‘Best Practice for Infant Feeding’ guide.

The guide has been described as an invaluable resource for all health pro- fessionals who provide advice to pregnant women and women with young children.

Meanwhile, Dr Ita Saul, Chair of the FSAI Expert Working Group that produced the report, outlined how breastfeeding continues to be the

“gold standard

? for infant feeding.

“During the first year of life, babies triple their birth weight and double their surface area making this a period of very rapid growth which is never repeated during the lifecycle,

? she said.

“More work needs to be done to increase the numbers of babies being breastfed in Ireland today and to improve weaning practices in terms of when solid food is first introduced and what types of foods are used.

?

She said parents in Ireland need more practical food-based information to cover all stages of infant life.