Paediatric Hub News
Stay up to date faster with weekly news updates on all things paediatric nutrition and dietetics.
Free school meals to be extended to 500,000 more pupils
June 2025
The Government has announced that from 2026, free school meals will be offered to any child in England whose parents receive Universal Credit.
May 2025
Disproportionate number of children referred to NHS excess weight clinics are from most deprived areas with many being neurodivergent or having other health complications, finds study.
Six top-brand baby food pouches found to lack key nutrients
May 2025
A laboratory was commissioned by Panorama to independently test the nutritional value of a fruit, yoghurt and savoury pouch from each of the six leading brands.
April 2025
Unfortunately the latest report reveals little progress since 2016 when the last report, WBTi UK 2016, was launched.
Younger children should not be given drinks containing artificial sweeteners
April 2025
Advisory committee says pre-school children should get used to drinking water instead, though artificial sweeteners may help older children cut down.
Request for participants for research project on formula in food banks
April 2025
Swansea University and First Steps Nutrition have sent a call out for professionals to participate in a research survey before the 10 April.
Winners announced for the Sustain 2025 Children’s Food Awards!
March 2025
Sustain has announced winners for the Children’s Food Awards 2025. We share the winner for each of the ten categories and briefly why the judges chose them.
Poor alignment of UK commercial baby food products with WHO model
March 2025
The findings of the paper show that many products fail to meet the WHO nutrient and promotion profile model with shortcomings in multiple criteria including for sugar content.
March 2025
A report by MPs says that thousands could be prevented from going hungry if children from poor households were automatically enrolled for free school meals.
RCM welcomes government funding boost for infant feeding and perinatal mental health support
February 2025
The funding will enable thousands of families across England to access pregnancy support, infant feeding advice, parenting classes and other support to help their child have the best start in life.
February 2025
The study, led by Durham university, found that newborn babies showed a more positive response to the smell of foods they were exposed to in the womb.
Broken Plate 2025: concerns in child consumption of healthy versus unhealthy food groups
February 2025
The report found that children are consuming less than the recommendations of many healthy food groups, while overconsuming nutrients such as free sugars and saturated fat.
Positive and negative Children’s Food Awards finalists announced
February 2025
The finalists list is a great overview of nutrition and food work going on to support children's health, while the negative ones highlight some of the pitfalls in this area of nutrition.
New NICE Guidance for pregnant women and new parents
January 2025
The guidance is a must read for anyone in contact with women who might become pregnant, pregnant women, new mothers and children under five.
New study finds child eating disorder admissions to acute wards soared from 2012 to 2022
January 2025
Medical ward admissions for children due to eating disorders rose by more than 500 per cent in England in the period from 2012 to 2022.
Call for experts to submit views on Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill
January 2025
The UK Parliament is asking for those with relevant expertise to send their views to the House of Commons Public Bill Committee.
US study pinpoints pivotal period for improving child cardiovascular health
January 2025
The new study pinpoints the age at which cardiovascular health trajectories begin to decline, revealing a crucial window for targeted interventions to improve cardiovascular health into adolescence and adulthood.
Food industry has infiltrated UK children’s education finds BMJ investigation
December 2024
In an open letter addressed to the secretaries of state for health and social care and for education, 38 doctors, researchers, peers, and others have called on the government to end what they are calling ‘stealth marketing’ to children from food companies.
Government confirms details of junk food advert ban as part of plans to curb child obesity
December 2024
The government has confirmed the details of advertising restrictions aimed at preventing children from being exposed to TV adverts for junk food products. Foods meeting two criteria will be included in the ban.
Three factors link to differences in children and parents with type 1 diabetes
November 2024
A recent study found significant negative differences in both children and parents with type 1 diabetes in those with a higher level of depression, anxiety, stress, decreased physical activity levels and lower nutritional intake.
Limited compliance with school food standards found in secondary schools
November 2024
Research into secondary schools in England and their compliance with the school food standards showed limited compliance in both schools mandated to comply and those not mandated to comply.
Caregiver response is key to child emotional overeating finds new study
July 2024
The study found supportive responses, such as problem-solving or validating feelings, can help prevent emotional overeating, while punitive or dismissive reactions increase the risk.
Glycosaminoglycans in human breast milk: review
July 2024
The review highlights the importance of GAG in immune function and gut function. However, it notes that the research on the mechanisms needs to be more robust.