Assessment type 1: Practical Activity
`Children and Nutrition in Contemporary Society’
Why do young children in contemporary society require food and nutrition education?
Studies have shown that eating habits are established early in the life cycle and tend to carry through until adulthood. Food that children eat will undoubtedly influence their state of health in later life. It is essential that healthy eating habits are developed early in life to encourage healthy eating as an adult. Through the good influences and role modelling of parents and school providing education towards healthy eating habits, children can become more aware of the importance of good food nutrition.
There are significant concerns about children’s current and future health, in particular the increase in obesity and related conditions. It’s evident that the impaired childhood growth and development that result from poor nutrition are linked to chronic disease in adulthood. Children who are poorly nourished particularly those who are overweight or obese, often experience significant social and psychological problems such as bullying, self-esteem issues and depression. It is important that clear and consistent education are provided to children about healthy eating so they can develop the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to make appropriate food choices and develop positive attitudes to diet and health.
While family environments continue to be the first place children learn about food, as with other essential life skills, schools and the broader society in which we live also have a big effect. So the draft curriculum for schools provides an important opportunity to ensure all children are taught the basic skills in feeding themselves well. Katina Saler, teacher Saint Marks College Primary Schools said there is more health and food education being introduced into the curriculum however it is tied in with the Physical Education. Katina said the canteen
Bibliography: * Department for education and skills (food standards agency) http://www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/ofstedearly.pdf. [Accessed 20 May 2013]. * Food and nutrition absent from draft national curriculum. 2013. Food and nutrition absent from draft national curriculum. [ONLINE] Available at:http://theconversation.com/food-and-nutrition-absent-from-draft-national-curriculum-12978. [Accessed 20 May 2013]. * Katina Saler, Teacher at Saint Marks Primary School Port Pirie, Interviewed on the 12th of April 2013 * The importance of nutrition education. 2013. The importance of nutrition education. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au/primary/pdhpe/phc/nut002.htm. [Accessed 20 May 2013]. * Rockpool Publishing,Sydney, Please Mum don’t supersize me, By Richard & Joey Mark 2008 -------------------------------------------- [ 1 ]. Department for education and skills (food Standards agency) available at: http://www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/ofstedearly.pdf [ 2 ]. Katina Saler, Teacher at Saint Marks College Primary School, Interviewed on the 12th of April 2013 [ 3 ]. Richard and Joey Mark, Please Mum don’t supersize me, Rockpool publishing, Sydney 2008