Parents should allow underweight children to be messy with their food, health chiefs have urged.
New guidance from NICE said ‘relaxed and enjoyable’ mealtimes would encourage youngsters to eat more.
It also said families should sit down and eat together to help children who are skinnier than they should be for their age put on weight.
Under the new regime, GPs can talk to parents directly if they are concerned about the growth of their children.
Faltering growth, slow weight gain in early childhood, has been linked to a higher risk of infections and a lower IQ.
