Kids – ‘Go for your life’

1. Kids – ‘Go for your life’

2. Kids – ‘Go for your life’ Your early childhood service is part of a state-wide initiative to promote healthy eating and active play in children aged 0-12

3. Health issues facing Australian children

4. Children’s Health Report • 4-5 year old children are watching television, a video or a DVD on average for 2.3 hours per day and 46% of infants average 1.4 hours per day • Twice the amount of time is spent in ‘screen time’ than in being active • 72 % of preschool children are driven to preschool services

5. Children’s Health Report • 90% of 4-5 year olds eat high fat foods between one and four times in a day • 80% of 4-5 year olds have fruit juice, soft drinks or cordial in a day • Nearly one third of food and drinks an 18-month-old child consumes are ‘sometimes’ foods, such as sweetened drinks, biscuits, chips and other high energy dense foods.

6. Consequences of unhealthy lifestyles

7. Overweight and obesity in primary aged children – 1960s & 1970s % Overweight in childhood % Obese in childhood

8. Overweight and obesity in primary aged children– today % Overweight in childhood % Obese in childhood

9. Discussion points • Do we think these overweight and obesity rates apply to children in our early childhood service? • Do we see unhealthy habits in our children?

10. Why prevent childhood obesity? Obese children risk: • Low self esteem & poor body image • Depression and risk taking behaviour in adolescence & adulthood • Physical discomfort & medical problems such as high cholesterol, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, high blood pressure

11. Why prevent adult obesity and overweight? • Overweight is now the leading cause of premature death and illness in Australia, ahead of tobacco smoking

12. Benefits of healthy eating and active play

13. Who can make a difference?

14. Your service can make a difference Become a Kids - ‘Go for your life’ Award Service

15. Healthy messages for children

16. Kids – ‘Go for your life’ award program Examples of meeting Award Criteria include: • Increasing active play opportunities for children • Water bottles and or water available at all times • Fresh fruit and vegetables as snacks • Healthier menus and food brought from home • Play equipment that is flexible and challenging • Road, car and pedestrian safety encouraged from an early age

17. Benefits of the program • It will recognise our service’s achievements • Provide a whole-of-service approach • Support planning and policy development • Provide a simple framework for action • Help coordinate early childhood health initiatives

18. Program Support • Parents, staff and children • Facts sheets • Parent tip sheets and newsletter inserts • Presentations • Planning resources • Sample policies and action plans • Expert advice and local support – where available • Local and state-wide media activities

19. Keys to successful change • Commitment to children’s wellbeing • Whole of service approach • Management, coordinator and staff support • Kids – ‘Go for your life’ champion • Committee to drive change • Linking with local community • Having family and children’s involvement

20. Discussion Point How can the early childhood community members support healthy eating and active play habits? • Staff/carers • Parents/families • Children • Management/proprietors • Coordinators • Who else can help?

21. Kids – ‘Go for your life’ www.goforyourlife.vic.gov.au/kids 1300 854 554