Annabel Karmel awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List

The UK’s leading author of baby and children’s food and nutrition, Annabel Karmel was awarded an MBE in June 2006 in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for her outstanding work in the field of child nutrition.

Recognising the importance of nutrition for babies and toddlers.

With research concluding that children’s eating preferences are established by the age of 5 Annabel is delighted that by awarding her an MBE, the Government is starting to recognise this influential younger and pre-school phase in children’s development following on from the successful initiatives aimed at older school children.

The number of pre-schoolers with obesity has doubled in the last 20 years and being overweight predisposes these children now to the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes as well as cardiac disease. More alarming still is that a vast amount of overweight children will grow up to be obese adults. 

“My overriding philosophy is that all parents want to raise healthy children and when it comes to healthy eating habits, they sometimes lack tools, skills, and knowledge needed to be effective. So I have tried to help them by making babies and children’s meals as easy as possible through books, talks and charity events, but I would also urge Government to do more to assist parents and respond to this healthcare crisis facing pre-schoolers.” Comments Karmel.