Like many adults, children are typically eating less than half the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. One in five (4 -18 year olds) eat no fruit at all during an average week. Poor eating and poor physical activity habits in childhood may increase the risk of health problems in later in life. The diet of a child is a factor, to varying degrees, in the development of a number of diseases, either in childhood itself or during adult life, such as obesity, iron deficiency anaemia, dental caries, coronary heart disease, hypertension, osteoporosis and cancer.

There is some evidence to suggest that health traits present in childhood tend to track into adult life, including body weight, blood levels of cholesterol, other blood lipids and insulin, and blood pressure.

Improving the health and nutrition for children should remain a priority for the government, health professionals, the food industry and teachers alike. But more importantly, parents should also have an active role in providing the best nutritional quality to their children. The course aims to show parents and practitioners how to improve the health and nutrition of children.

• This course includes the cost of a personal tutor.