Why a healthy childhood matters

Why a healthy start matters

The foundations for virtually every aspect of human development are laid in early life. A healthy, happy start paves the way for a brighter and healthier future.

A crucial time with the greatest impact on a child’s future

Giving children the best possible start in life is crucial to their future health and wellbeing – and to reducing inequalities across the life course. Evidence shows that a child’s home environment and parenting during the early years have life-long impacts on future health outcomes, emotional wellbeing, educational achievement and economic status. The vital importance of the early years is unequivocally supported by research and is at the core of key national policy recommendations.

Laying foundations for a heathy future

The foundations for future health and wellbeing are laid in early life. Diet, obesity, physical activity, communication, cognitive development and oral health in later life all have roots in early childhood. Once established, it’s extremely challenging to reverse any negative impact from the early years on health – for example, data from Public Health England shows that just 1 in 20 children who are obese at age 5 will return to a healthy weight by age 11.

Learn more about the impact of the early years on future health

It’s easier right from the start

Early childhood presents a unique window of opportunity to get children off to the best possible start. It’s often a time when families have considerable contact with a variety of family support services and also a time when parents may be more receptive to external support and guidance. Habits formed in early childhood are enduring; poor habits, once established, are very difficult to break.

Return on investment

The economic case for investing in early life is compelling. It’s not only cost-effective – ensuring children reach primary and then secondary school in good health and ready to learn – but also delivers significant benefits to society as a whole. With nearly 1 in 4 children overweight when they start school, investing in early obesity prevention is a cost-effective use of limited public health funds.