Eat Right, Be Bright

Although it may seem hard to believe, in just a few short weeks, the summer of 2003 will be another memory and we will be facing a return to the more routine days of fall. As we start to think about what our children will be wearing, writing with, and carrying their books in when they head back to the classroom in September, why not think a little bit about what they’ll be eating?

Nutrition…wellness…healthy eating…they seem to be on everyone’s mind lately. Fast food restaurants, grocery stores and food manufacturers alike are coming to realise that Canadians really do care about the healthfulness of the foods that they and especially their children are eating. And with good reason…In May of 2001, the Canadian Health Network published a report on childhood obesity in Canada. The article suggested that the tendency towards overweight among Canadian youth was “an alarming trend” and included data that showed a 92% increase in overweight boys and a 57% increase in overweight girls between 1981 and 1996. Statistics from the 1996 National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth indicated the following:

• 33% of boys were overweight, including 10% who were obese
• 26% of girls were overweight, including 9% who were obese

Medical professionals and researchers continue to suggest a strong link between childhood obesity and health challenges later in life including coronary disease and diabetes. Research has also indicated that children who are overweight may wrestle with low-self esteem and experience a lower quality of life vis-à-vis their peers.

For many Canadian families a healthier lifestyle can be achieved by considering two key components: nutrition and activity. Making a few simple changes in the kinds and quantity of food we eat and increasing the amount of physical activity in which we engage will go a long way in ensuring that our families experience all of the benefits of healthy, active living. Moreover, these simple changes will benefit our children as they move through their lives and pave the way for optimum health and wellness later in life.

A healthy, active lifestyle is a family affair. Here are some ideas to get you moving and eating in the right direction:

Get Moving:

• Live the example. Get involved in physical activities yourself to serve as a good role model for children.
• Set limits on the amount of time that children spend watching television or playing video or computer games. Experts suggest no more than two hours a day.
• Plan and participate in family activities that include things such as bicycling, walking and doing yard work.
• Help your children get involved in school and community physical activity and sports programs. Make sure that day care programs include at least 20 minutes of exercise a day as part of their routine.
• Remember that active living is neither time consuming nor difficult. Think about the little things that you can do every day to get your body moving. Many of the technological conveniences that we enjoy have the disadvantage of making us less active in our everyday lives. For many people, small changes like walking instead of driving or hand delivering messages instead of e-mailing, can make all the difference.

Get Eating:

• Live the example. Think about your own relationship with food and understand the kinds of messages that you send (knowingly or unknowingly to your children). Children eat what they are encouraged to eat and develop attitudes and assumptions about food and nutrition by watching the key models in their lives. What message are you sending?
• Offer your children a variety of vegetables and fruits and make them interesting and appealing to children.
• Get children involved in meal planning and preparation. Make them active participants and encourage their interest. Cultivate a respectful relationship between children and the food that they eat.
• Encourage your children to drink water and restrict the number of carbonated drinks, sodas and fruit juices. Many adults encourage children to drink fruit juices because they assume that juices are healthy and good for children. With juice it is important to remember that a little bit goes a long way. Encourage children to have whole fruit instead of fruit juice or dilute juice with water.
• Keep high calorie and low nutrient foods, such as potato chips, to a minimum.
• Eat more meals together as a family. Family meals provide wonderful opportunities to enjoy a healthy variety of foods. They are an excellent way for families to “check in” with one another and reinforce the connections between parents and children.

September is Breakfast for Learning Month, when children throughout Canada are encouraged to “eat right and be bright.” 31% of elementary and 62% of secondary school students receive a failing grade when it comes to eating a nutritious breakfast on a daily basis. Events across the country, including London, will help to raise awareness of the importance of a healthy and nutritious breakfast and the positive impact it has on a child’s performance in the school. Investing in Children is the coordinator for Breakfast for Learning programs is London-Middlesex.