Abstract
Tower Hamlets is a deprived inner city area with a high level of ethnic minority groups, and has many nutritional problems. Iron deficiency and rickets are among the commonest seen. One of the main causes remains late or inappropriate weaning, as indicated in research carried out 15 years ago in Tower Hamlets and, as a result, an undue reliance on unmodified cow's milk, usually given in a bottle, for the first 2-3 years of life. Late weaning results in difficulties with chewing and swallowing, and as a direct consequence speech and language therapy is often needed to help overcome the problem. The danger of drinking excessive amounts of unmodified cow's milk is discussed, together with the controversies surrounding the possible long-term consequences of iron deficiency. Rickets continues to occur, and much of this stems from ignorance on the part of both parents and health professionals about current Department of Health guidelines for vitamin supplementation, and a prolonged exposure to unmodified cow's milk. Measures to combat the problems are discussed.