Benefits of Healthy Eating & Active Living Helps you learn* Promotes healthy

weight* Sports

performance* Keeps you healthy* Prevents diseases* Dental health

Sleep better Increase self-

esteem & self-confidence

Decrease depression & anxiety

Reduce vandalism Keeps youth out of

justice system

Our Children are at Risk Rising rates of

obesity & overweight

Unhealthy foods replacing healthy foods

Illnesses Potential burden on

our health care system

The Numbers • 36% of Children & Youth (ages 2-17)

in Newfoundland and Labrador were overweight or obese. • Highest in the country. Canadian

average was 26%• 1 in 4 kindergarten students in

Newfoundland & Labrador are overweight or obese • Preschool checks by public health nurses

• Children living in low income families were 1.5 times more likely to be obese

Portion Sizes

National Geographic, August 2004

The Future?

We are the first generation of parents whose life expectancy could be longer than our children if present trends continue.

World Health Organization

Schools• Best way to educate is to teach healthy

eating & active living and then use the school environment to reinforce healthy behaviours.

• Students can eat a large portion of their daily meals and snacks as part of the school day

• Students’ academic performance, growth, development, and general health are all influenced by foods eaten and activity.

School Foods in Newfoundland

• 46 % of food offerings in cafeterias are nutritious

• Schools more likely to serve foods from grill or deep fat fryer

• 53 % nutritious foods in canteens • Most common foods sold in canteens: ice

cream and potato chips• 27 % nutritious foods in vending• Vending machines sell predominately soft

drinks and sports drinks Food Nutrition Survey, 2001

School Food Guidelines

Canada’s Food Guide

Emphasizes the healthiest choices

School Food Guidelines

Applies to ALL foods served and sold in school Canteen, cafeteria, vending machines

Breakfast programs Special events in class or school Fundraisers

Food Categories

Serve Most(At Least 50%)

Serve Moderately(Remaining time)

Foods Not Included

• Fibre• Nutrient

dense with vitamins & minerals

• Salt• Fat• Sugar

Grain Products

• Choose whole grains more often• Breads, cereals, pasta, rice, tortilla

wraps, crackers• Serve Moderately: White based grains

Fruits and Vegetables

• Fresh• Frozen

Fruit can also be:• Canned in juice• Dried fruit

Serve Moderately:• Sweetened fruits/juices• French fries (once a

week)

Milk Products

• Choose lower fat & unsweetened products

• White milk (<2% milk fat - M.F.)• Lower fat cheese (<20% M.F.) • Yogurt (<2% M.F.)

Serve Moderately• Chocolate milk• Yogurt drinks• Ice cream (once a week)

Meat and Alternatives

• Choose lean cuts of meat, fish, poultry and dried beans and peas

• Use lower fat cooking methods• Use in moderation any added fats such as

oil, gravy, cream sauces

Serve moderately:• Salami, pepperoni, bologna, wieners, or

bacon (once a week)

Foods Not Included• Some foods provide very few nutrients• Students can fill up on these foods and will

not have room for healthier foods

Examples: • Cookies, cakes, pies, donuts, chocolate bars• Popsicles, Jello• Potato chips• Pop, fruit drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks• Battered & fried products – nuggets,

battered & fried chicken pieces, onion rings

School Nutrition Environment

• Healthy foods available in school and classroom • Fundraising activities• Nutrition education from K to 12• Students involved in decision making regarding

foods• Promotion of healthy eating to parents and school

staff• Encouragement of change comes from education

and school officials• Harmonization of healthy eating messages

between home, school, and community

Active Living

HOME SCHOOL COMMUNITY• An Active School Community is one that

supports students and teachers to be active before, during and after the school day.

• Teachers and Administrators work with parents and community leaders – so that every school-aged child has opportunities to be physically active.

Benefits of Being Active

Increases learning Increases self-esteem and self-confidence Reduces depression and anxiety Reduces vandalism in schools and

communities. Keeps youth out of the justice system. Helps people sleep better. Reduces the probability of many diseases

Active Transportation

Intramurals & Informal activities

Our communities . . .

Can we build environments that support physicalactivity?

Physical education

Activity within other classes

Time to Reflect On Your School Community

Nutrition

Physical Activity

Key messages to staff Support Living Healthy concepts

within the curriculum Support Living Healthy within the

school environment Role model Living Healthy with

students

Key messages to school councils & parents Support the school as they make

changes to the foods served Support nutrition and activities

within school events Support nutrition and active living

in your community Become a role model too

Work with your School Community

Groups Student council School council Staff Municipal

Recreation Local grocery

store

Resource People School Health

Promotion Consultant

Public Health Nurses

Dietitian or Community Nutritionist