|
|
Winter 2005 |
 |
|
H e a l t h P r o m o t i o n
Health
coalition advocates for healthy school strategy
|
|
|
Submitted
Photo |
|
|
|
|
The incidence of childhood
obesity has rung an alarm bell among many professional groups whose
mandate includes health promotion and disease prevention.
|
|
|
|
By Glendora Boland |
|
The incidence of childhood obesity has
rung an alarm bell among many professional groups whose mandate
includes health promotion and disease prevention.
Last spring, the Newfoundland and Labrador
Medical Association joined the Dietitians of Newfoundland and Labrador,
the Newfoundland and Labrador Public Health Association, the Association
of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Newfoundland and
Labrador Association of Social Workers and Memorial University's School
of Human Kinetics to publicly release the brief Healthy Eating in
School Settings: Taking Action to Address Obesity in Children and Youth.
As a coalition of health groups we are
concerned without immediate and creative interventions, obesity in
children and youth will continue to increase, creating a legacy of
health problems in the future. Next to the family, the school community
is one of the most influential factors in a child’s development. We
recognize the complexity of obesity; however, in developing this brief,
we focused on the school-age child and the opportunities the school
setting provides.
Schools are uniquely positioned to provide
information on healthy eating and active living. The school environment
can be used to model and promote healthy behaviors, and to make sure we
are consistent with messages and practice in schools, homes and
communities.
The brief summarizes the key issues and
identifies best practices which should be implemented in the province’s
education system. Six recommendations addressing healthy eating and
active living in the school environment are highlighted. The brief has
been presented to the Ministers of Education, Health and Community
Services, and Tourism, Culture and Recreation.
The government commitment to strengthen
public health and wellness with a record investment of $6 million in
Budget 2005 is to be commended. The coalition recommends building on
this investment by developing healthy school environments. Meaningful
change will come with commitment, engagement and the promotion and
involvement of government, parents, students, school staff and boards,
school food providers and the community during the implementation
process. Let us continue to make our voices heard to ensure Budget
2006 continues to make healthy school environments a priority for
our children. After all, our future depends on them.
Glendora Boland is co-chair of the
Dietitians of Newfoundland and Labrador.
|
