School Food Guidelines highlight healthy eating for students

NLIS 3
June 16, 2006
(Education)
(Health and Community Services)

School Food Guidelines highlight healthy eating for students

All schools throughout the province will soon offer improved healthy eating choices. Joan Burke, Minister of Education, and Tom Osborne, Minister of Health and Community Services, today released the province�s new School Food Guidelines.

"A great deal of work has gone into preparing these guidelines and this marks a step forward for the health and well-being of our students," said Minister Burke. "It is no secret that we have a problem with overweight and obese children and youth in our province. Lifestyle habits formed in childhood are influenced by the school environment. We must therefore address eating habits during our population�s school-aged years. The new guidelines provide a whole assortment of healthy eating options which will be served in our schools."

The School Food Guidelines outline a selection of food and beverages that should be served in school cafeterias, canteens and vending machines. They will ensure students are provided with healthy food choices and are given quality information to promote health and wellness. The guidelines include information on foods that are the most healthy, nutritious and suitable, and are structured around the Serve Most/Serve Moderately approach to healthy eating. Schools will be assisted in making the transition to healthy eating.

"Government is committed to prevention and promotion as mechanisms to ensure better health outcomes for all people of our province," said Minister Osborne. "Healthy eating and regular physical activity are essential components in the healthy growth and development of children and youth. Poor dietary habits and inactivity lead to an array of health problems, which have significant social and economic impacts later in life. I am confident that once schools have made the transition to healthy food choices, parents, teachers and students themselves will enjoy improved lifestyles and eating habits."

The guidelines are the latest component of government�s Healthy Students, Healthy Schools Initiative, which is a major component of the Provincial Wellness Plan. Government officially launched the plan in March 2006. Specific initiatives to be rolled out in the next three years include:

Healthy Students, Healthy Schools - expand the initiative to create school environments that support healthy living for children, youth and the larger school community;

Healthy living community-based programs - expand these throughout the province to support wellness priorities;

Wellness Grants Program - a new program will be developed and implemented to support health promotion and initiatives that address wellness priorities;

Provincial Food and Nutrition Framework and Action Plan - release and implement Eating Together in Newfoundland and Labrador: Provincial Food and Nutrition Framework and Action Plan;

Tobacco Control Program - implement a Provincial Tobacco Reduction Strategy over the next three years; and,

Provincial Injury Prevention Strategy - develop a new strategy based on a review of current injury prevention practices.

Government invested $5.2 million in Budget 2006 to encourage healthy eating, physical activity and to promote healthier lifestyles. This includes:

$3.7 million to support implementation of the provincial wellness plan. The plan�s first phase will be implemented over the next three years and will focus on some key areas including healthy eating, physical activity, tobacco control, and injury prevention;

$1 million to extend the physical education equipment program to students in the intermediate grades. The program was introduced last year for the province�s high school students and funding this year will be used to purchase equipment for students in grades 7-9. The new physical education curriculum promotes life-long, healthy living, from kindergarten to senior high. It is about helping students foster positive attitudes about the importance of being active and physically fit for life; and,

$500,000 to the Kids Eat Smart Foundation, an organization that works with schools and community groups to establish nutritious breakfast, lunch and snack programs in schools.

"The Provincial Wellness Plan recognizes the need for shared responsibility for health promotion. School administrators, school councils, parents and community organizations all have an important part to play as we role out the guidelines," said Minister Osborne. "Through dedicated partnerships, I am confident we will help our students embrace all the benefits inherent in eating well, and leading healthy, active lives."

Wide representation was sought with numerous interest groups throughout the consultation process. "We will continue to work with school boards, the food and beverage industry and other interested parties to ensure a smooth implementation of the guidelines over the next couple of years," said Minister Burke. "It is our hope that everyone will help us encourage our young people to make healthy choices and enjoy long-term, active lifestyles."

The guidelines are now being distributed to school districts and school administrators. The guidelines can be found at www.gohealthy.ca, or the Department of Education web site at www.gov.nl.ca/edu.

Media contact:

Jacquelyn Howard, Education, (709) 729-0048, 689-2624

Tansy Mundon, Health and Community Services, 729-1377, 685-1741

2006 06 16 11:30 a.m.

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