Childhood Obesity (8) - Healthy eating

Currently the curriculum-stipulated 20 minutes are for the subject of “Health and Physical Education,” which comprises of two distinct components, namely, physical activity and learning make healthy food choice. The Ministry of Education should seriously consider splitting the topics covered in this subject into two distinct subjects: One for physical education and the other for healthy eating. We should start educating our children when they are young how to make healthy food choices and nurture good eating habits. Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide, released in 2007, provides guidance on the amount of food for adults, teens and children. The Guide also includes information on the quality of food choices for healthy eating such as the type of fat, the total energy content of foods (Bush et al., 2007).

Children tend to remember things they see and hear often. If they are bombarded by the same (and correct) message, hopefully they will remember it well for the rest of their lives. Thus, the emphasis on eating healthy should be repetitive across all grades.

Reference
Bush, M. A. A., et al. (2007). Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide: “A Tool for the Times.” Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research, 68(2):92-96. 2007.