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The importance of healthy eating for children and youth

Eating habits develop early in life; for this reason it is important to have healthy foods available where children and youth live, learn, work, and play. Healthy food and beverages provide the energy and nutrients necessary for growth, development, learning and physical activity.

The eating habits of children and youth are influenced by experiences at home, in child care settings, school, and in the community at large. Media messages can also have a powerful influence on what children and youth choose to eat and drink.

The health of children and youth in Nova Scotia

Poor nutrition is affecting the health of children and youth in Nova Scotia, across Canada and around the world. In a recent Nova Scotia study of 5,200 grade five students, more than half did not meet Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating recommendations for minimum servings from the four food groups. Skipping meals, including breakfast, and purchasing meals at school or fast-food restaurants contributed to poor intakes.

For the first time in history, Nova Scotia children and youth are developing nutrition-related diseases such as type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure; previously these were only seen in older adults. Type 2 diabetes among those under the age of 19 years accounts for 16 to 18% of newly diagnosed cases in Nova Scotia. Recent studies have indicated that one out of every three Nova Scotia children and youth is overweight or obese. In 2004, the combined overweight/obesity rate of 2-17 year olds was significantly above the national level in Nova Scotia at 32%; 9.4% were obese.

Healthy Eating Nova Scotia proposes a variety of strategies to create environments that foster healthy eating among young people at home, at school and in child care settings.

Objectives:

1. To improve eating patterns of children and youth, based on Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating.

2. To increase the availability and affordability of healthy foods in child care, school and other child and youth settings.

3. To increase knowledge about food and nutrition among parents, teachers and caregivers.

4. To increase skills for encouraging the development of healthy eating practices in the early years, among parents and other caregivers of young children.

Current Work

Policies in childcare and school settings can help ensure healthy food and beverages are available to children and youth.

Current work and more information related to the Nova Scotia Child Care Policy 

Current work and more information on the Food and Nutrition Policy for Nova Scotia Public Schools