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By Rachel Lawler

Early years setting should play a “central role” in preventing childhood obesity, according to a from England’s outgoing chief medical officer.

has called for “early years food national standards” to be introduced and adhered to in all settings in her final report. The report also calls for settings to adopt “water and milk only” drinking policies and asks for Ofsted to support these policies.

Physical activity is also mentioned. Davies called for settings and schools to adopt the daily mile as well as energetic play, walking and skipping.

More vegetables and pulses

According to the report, early years settings are not currently offering children enough vegetables, pulses and oily fish, serving too many processed foods high in sugar and fat.

However, the report also notes that children are generally more active in early years settings than they usually are at home with their parents.

Important period

Davies said: “Infancy and early childhood are an important period for establishing healthy eating patterns. Many infant foods exceed the recommended standards for sugar and some contain added salt. They are also sold in large portions with no indication of individual portion sizes.”

Other measures suggested in the report include making better use of data on children’s weight, phasing out advertising for less healthy food and VAT changes on junk foods.

Window of opportunity

Annie Denny, nutrition development manager for the , said: “The early years are a key window of opportunity for improving health. With nearly 1 in 4 children entering reception overweight or obese, it’s vital that efforts to promote a healthy diet and lifestyle start early, before children get to school.

While voluntary guidance is available for early years settings, there are currently no regulated standards. The Early Years Nutrition Partnership welcomes the recommendation that food, drink and physical activity standards should be set and adhered to in all nurseries.

Adequate monitoring by Ofsted will be vital to ensure the implementation of standards, supported by appropriate guidance and training for inspectors. Hands on support from nutrition experts is crucial to the practical implementation of standards in early years settings and to the development of a whole-setting approach to food provision ad education.”

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