Defining healthy and sustainable diets for infants, children and adolescents

This paper provides an overview of nutrition recommendations for dietary intakes necessary to support normal growth and development of children from birth to 18 years and to promote long-term health and quality of life. Key nutrients and food-based dietary recommendations have been examined from international evidence-based child dietary and feeding guidelines from the World Health Organization and a convenience sample of countries. The paper also reviews key issues relating to the environmental impacts of child diets. Fundamental gaps are identified in defining optimal intakes for children at specific ages and for those living in different geographical regions and food environments. •Optimal dietary intake is essential for normal child growth and long term health.•Child dietary patterns are important contributors to the health of our planet.•Globally child dietary intakes are sub-optimal compared to dietary recommendations.•A nutritious and sustainable food system for all children must be a global priority.•Strategies to optimize child nutrition should support environmental sustainability.