Administration for Children’s Services: Early Childhood Care- Recommendations to Combat Pre-School Obesity

Assignment Brief

Administration for Children’s Services: Early Childhood Care – Recommendations to Combat Pre-School Obesity

In this assignment, you are expected to focus on the issue of obesity in pre-school children (aged roughly 2–5 years old), and to develop clear, practical recommendations for how early childhood care services can help prevent or reduce it.

Your work should focus on the role of children’s services or early years providers, such as nurseries, pre-schools, and childcare centres, in supporting healthy lifestyles for young children.

What You Should Do in Your Assignment

1. Explain What Pre-School Obesity Is

• Define obesity in simple terms.

• Talk about how it affects young children physically and emotionally.

• Use basic facts or statistics if possible (for example, rising rates in the UK or your country).

2. Identify Causes of Obesity in Early Childhood

• Poor diet (too much sugar, fat, junk food).

• Lack of physical activity (screen time, little outdoor play).

• Family habits or lack of knowledge about healthy eating.

• Environment (not enough access to parks or healthy food).

3. Discuss the Role of Early Childhood Care Providers

• What can nurseries, day-cares, and early years educators do to support healthy habits?

• Think about food offered in nurseries, playtime, education about healthy living, staff training, and policies.

Sample Answer

Administration for Children’s Services: Early Childhood Care – Recommendations to Combat Pre-School Obesity

1. What is Pre-School Obesity?

Pre-school obesity refers to when children aged between 2 and 5 years old have too much body fat for their age and height. It is usually measured using Body Mass Index (BMI), which compares a child’s weight to their height.

Obesity at this early age can cause both physical and emotional problems. Physically, it increases the risk of:

• Type 2 diabetes

• Breathing problems (like asthma or sleep apnoea)

• Bone and joint issues

Emotionally, children may feel low self-esteem or may face bullying, even at a young age.

In the UK, childhood obesity is becoming a major concern. According to NHS data (2022), over 10% of children aged 4–5 are classed as obese by the time they start school. This shows that unhealthy habits often begin before a child turns five.

2. Causes of Obesity in Early Childhood

There are several reasons why young children may become overweight or obese:

Poor Diet

Many children eat too many unhealthy foods such as:

• Crisps

• Biscuits

• Sugary drinks

• Processed meals

These foods are often high in fat, sugar, and salt but low in nutrients.

Lack of Physical Activity

Children today often spend more time indoors on screens like tablets or TVs. This reduces the time spent on physical play, which is important for burning energy and staying fit.

Family Habits and Knowledge

Young children learn from their parents or carers. If parents have unhealthy eating habits or are unaware of what a balanced diet looks like, this may affect the child’s eating too.

Environment

Some families may not live near parks, safe outdoor spaces, or affordable shops that sell fresh fruits and vegetables. This can make it harder to be active or eat well.

3. The Role of Early Childhood Care Providers

Early years providers like nurseries, pre-schools, and childminders have a big role in supporting healthy lifestyles for children. Here are key ways they can help:

Healthy Food in Nurseries

Nurseries can ensure they serve:

• Nutritious meals with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins

• Low-sugar and low-fat snacks

• Water or milk instead of sugary drinks

Meal plans should follow government guidelines such as the Eat Better, Start Better programme.

Promoting Physical Play

Children should have at least 180 minutes of physical activity per day, as recommended by health experts. Nurseries can:

• Encourage outdoor play

• Offer active games (running, jumping, dancing)

• Provide safe play areas with climbing and balancing equipment

Early Education about Health

Simple lessons about healthy food and being active can be included in the daily routine. For example:

• Storybooks about healthy eating

• Games that teach about fruits and vegetables

• Fun cooking sessions or tasting days

Staff Training

Nursery staff should be trained to:

• Recognise signs of obesity

• Understand children’s nutritional needs

• Promote health in a supportive, non-judgmental way

This will help ensure consistent and informed messages about healthy habits.

Policies and Partnerships

Childcare settings can develop clear healthy eating and physical activity policies. They should also:

• Work with parents by offering healthy recipes, newsletters, or workshops

• Invite healthcare professionals to give talks or check-ups

• Take part in local or national health campaigns (e.g. Change4Life)