Giant Humpty Dumpty sculpture appears on wall in central London after 'great fall'
A giant Humpty Dumpty egg sculpture has appeared on a wall in central London after his 'great fall' - but it seems all the king's horses and all the king's men have managed to patch him up
A colossal Humpty Dumpty sculpture has made a surprise appearance atop a wall in central London, and it appears he's been mended. The nursery rhyme character, standing at two-and-a-half metres tall and fully bandaged, seems to have received help from all the king's horses and all the king's men. The installation, which took 28 days to handcraft and weighs over 85 kilos, is perched on a wall in Potter's Field.
This follows a study by Yoplait, the creators of Petits Filous, revealing that while nine out of 10 parents believe they understand their child's nutritional needs, they question whether they are fulfilling them. The survey of 2,000 parents with children aged four to 10 found that 58% frequently worry about providing the right nutrition for their little ones, despite claiming to have good knowledge.
The research highlighted this confusion, with 28% uncertain about sugar content in food, 25% unclear on what constitutes a 'balanced diet', and 24% finding it difficult to identify signs of nutrient deficiencies. Furthermore, 34% blame ambiguous food labels, while 29% feel they lack access to necessary expert advice.
Yoplait reports that calcium intake has significantly decreased over the past decade, and nearly 20% of children aged four to 10 are deficient in vitamin D each spring, putting their long-term bone health at serious risk. However, many parents mistakenly view this as a future issue, missing the chance to strengthen their children's bones while they're still growing.
Still in progress, the brand has joined forces with popular children's author and father-of-three Tom Fletcher to kickstart a nationwide campaign addressing the overlooked issue of calcium and vitamin D deficiency in children. The initiative begins with a fresh take on the nursery rhyme character Humpty Dumpty. Once a symbol of vulnerability, Humpty Dumpty is now reimagined as resilient, emphasising the significance of calcium and vitamin D in fostering healthy bone development from a young age.
Tom Fletcher commented: "As a parent, I know how easy it is to get caught up in the chaos of daily life - and nutrition can sometimes take a back seat. But what people don't realise is that calcium and vitamin D deficiency in children is quite common. If kids don't get enough during their crucial growing years, it can have a lasting impact on their bone health. The great news is that it's easy to make a difference.
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"Something as simple as adding a fortified yoghurt to their daily routine can give them the calcium and vitamin D they need to build healthy bones. I loved reimagining the Humpty Dumpty rhyme for this campaign - it's such a lovely and playful way to deliver a serious message. Humpty's great fall is the perfect reminder of what can happen when we don't build our kids up properly from the inside out."
Humpty Dumpty and children's author and dad-of-three Tom Fletcher.
(Image: PinPep )
The research indicates that a significant part of the crisis stems from confusion due to social media myths, changing trends, and conflicting health advice, which are leading parents away from reliable sources of nutrition. Almost three in 10 individuals steer clear of yoghurt due to worries about sugar or artificial sweeteners, often fuelled by online misinformation.
While 53% recognise brittle bones, delayed growth (40%), and rickets (40%) as signs of calcium or vitamin D deficiency, this knowledge doesn't always lead to proactive measures. The study also revealed that 31% find it challenging to ensure their children consume enough nutrient-dense foods. Additionally, 22% are unsure about the required nutrient intake for their child, and an equal percentage have never heard of food fortification.
In collaboration with Yoplait, which has partnered with Mumsnet and the National Schools Partnership to raise awareness among thousands of families at home and in schools, dietitian Dr Carrie Ruxton stated: "Many parents still underestimate the value of simple foods like fortified yoghurts, which are packed with the nutrients kids need.
"There's been a trend towards parents swapping out yoghurts for less nutritious options like biscuits or unfortified snacks but this would have the effect of limiting the essential nutrients that children need for growth and development.
"Antoine Hours, a representative from the brand, added: "Parents are navigating conflicting advice about nutrition, leaving them often uncertain about whether their children are getting the right nutrients. Small dietary changes, like adding calcium-rich foods such as fortified yoghurt, can have a significant impact.
"Humpty Dumpty is well-known as a symbol of fragility. With Tom Fletcher's updated version of the story, he serves as the perfect icon to remind parents and children alike of the importance of nutrition in growing up strong and resilient."
Dr. Carrie Ruxton lists some rapid tips for fostering healthier bones among youngsters:
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