Nutrition through the life-span. Part 1: preconception, pregnancy and infancy.

Good nutrition throughout the life-span is fundamental if infants are to grow into healthy adults with subsequent progression through to old age. However, with an alarming increase in both the rates of obesity and malnutrition, it would seem prudent to suggest that infants, children and adults are not achieving an adequate nutritional status. This article is part one of a two-part series which aims to educate nurses by giving some guidelines on how such individuals may achieve a healthy nutritional status right through from preconception, pregnancy, infancy and childhood, through to adulthood and old age. It should always be remembered that although nurses are in a prime position to identify and treat malnutrition, it is not just a nursing responsibility. Safe and effective nutritional care can only be delivered if all those involved in the care of the patient - dieticians, nutritionists, doctors and pharmacists - are working together.