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Health and Community
December 11, 2012

The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Health and Community Services:

New Educational Resources Promote Healthy Eating

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to highlight the recent release of three new resources that promote and support healthy eating and nutrition education in the province.

Healthy eating practices established in a child’s early years set the foundation for a healthy life. Children develop healthy eating habits under the guidance of their parents and caregivers, so to assist parents, the Department of Health and Community Services has developed the Healthy Eating for Your Toddler guide. This guide provides answers to common questions about feeding toddlers, and instructs parents and caregivers on how to use Canada’s Food Guide to plan healthy meals and snacks.

Copies of these guides are available to all parents of toddlers during the regular 12-month Child Health Clinic visit. Electronic copies are also available on the Department of Health and Community Services’ website and on the Baby-Friendly NL website.

Mr. Speaker, in addition to this guide, the Provincial Government has developed two toolkits. Partnering with family resource centres and the regional health authorities, the Healthy Baby Club Healthy Eating Toolkit and the Family Resource Centre Healthy Eating Toolkit promote healthy eating for children up to the age of six and their families. This user-friendly material assists family resource centre staff to support and encourage participants to make good nutritional choices.

These toolkits are available from regional nutritionists within each of the four regional health authorities. Electronic copies are available on the Department of Health and Community Services’ website.

Mr. Speaker, this work was supported by the Provincial Wellness Grants Program. Since the launch of the Provincial Wellness Grants program in 2005, 211 community groups have received approximately $3.9 million to fund programs to enhance wellness.

Healthy eating and child and youth development are identified as priority areas within the Provincial Wellness Plan in which we invest $4.2 million annually. Our government will continue to develop initiatives and strengthen the supports available to the residents of Newfoundland and Labrador that help create a supportive environment and allow us to take action to improve our own health and wellness.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

2012 12 11                                     1:55 p.m.

 
 
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