Social inequalities, health and nutrition situation among European children

Need for a more coordinated nutrition approach to maternal & young child services within EU: decrease risk of childhood obesity; improve maternal and child health; & reduce social gradient and disparities in disadvantaged groups. Obesity before pregnancy (monitor pre-pregnancy obesity); excessive Gestational Weight Gain – (monitor rates of GWG - new European recommendations needed? ) Increased risk of Small- or Large-for-Gestational Age and birth weights (monitor low and high birth-weight by SES) Ability to breastfeed (monitor breastfeeding by SES) complementary feeding – taste development & increased risk of obesity, micronutrient deficiency & NCDs (monitor complementary feeding practices). Obese mothers, with low SES, likely to transfer intergenerational risks of obstetric complications and poor generational health & socio-economic development