Supporting Children’s Growth & Development Through Nutrition Webinar

This webinar focuses on improving children's nutrition by connecting dietary intake with:

• Child development and family dynamics
• Public health concerns, including ultra-processed foods
• Fussy eating patterns
• Nutrient requirements by age
• Safe approaches to supplementation

Hosted by Ella Kaur (Practitioner Lead, Registered Nutritionist and Nutritional Therapy Practitioner) with guest speaker Zakia Mance, MRN, CNHC, DipHB (KG), GCRN President.

Key Points Discussed

Urgency from public health and diet trends

Statistics show high rates of obesity and overweight among young children. Diet, particularly ultra-processed food, may contribute significantly.

Nutrition is more than food

Eating includes what, when and how children eat, including the environment (stress, emotional support, cultural patterns).

Root causes behind low intake or 'fussy eating'

Rather than one-size-fits-all advice, Zakia describes multiple possible drivers:

• Medical issues (allergies/intolerances, constipation)
• Emotional stress or trauma
• Bullying at school
• Gut health (absorption and immunity)
• Sensory processing differences

Creating a supportive feeding relationship

Reduce battles around meals, build pleasure and connection, and re-establish trust, rather than using a purely transactional or robotic approach to feeding.

Fussy eating strategies

• Remove emotional pressure.
• Avoid using bribery or rewards as the primary method.
• Set firm, consistent boundaries.
• Encourage early independence and food exposure.
• Use an '80/20' approach where appropriate (not in cases such as allergies or serious needs).

Supplementation differs for children

Children need different doses, and safety matters. Fat-soluble vitamins and iron carry a toxicity risk, and some supplement categories are unsuitable for children.

Meeting nutrient needs on plant-based or restricted diets

Plant-based diets can be followed safely with guidance and appropriate supplementation, notably vitamin D, B12 and omega 3.

Gut-first perspective

Gut health is central to immunity, digestion and absorption, with microbiome-focused support via probiotics.

Key Takeaways

1. Children's nutrition requires an individualised, 'whole-child' approach that includes the emotional environment, gut function and sensory/behavioural context, not just nutrient checklists.
2. Fussy eating is often a mix of psychology and physiology. Rebuild connection, remove mealtime battles, introduce foods repeatedly (10–15 exposures) and set consistent boundaries.
3. Supplementation must be child-safe and dose-appropriate. Avoid unsuitable products (e.g., detox, weight-loss or energy products) and prioritise safety and absorption, often with a gut-first approach.

Conclusion

This webinar delivers practical, practitioner-focused guidance on:

1. Assessing children's nutrition beyond intake alone
2. Identifying the likely drivers of poor eating or deficiency risk
3. Applying safe, age-appropriate nutrition and supplementation strategies

It is supported by a gut-first framework and an emphasis on keeping care simple to reduce family stress.

This webinar is fully approved by BANT® and accredited for CPD hours.