Good Nutrition for the Early Years Eileen Muir Community Dietitian

1. Good Nutrition for the Early Years Eileen Muir Community Dietitian

2. ‘Nutrition in the early years of life has a major influence on the growth and development of an individual child and also that of adult health’ ‘To help children develop healthy eating patterns from an early age it is important that the food and eating patterns to which they are exposed, both at home and outside the home are those which promote positive attitudes to good nutrition’ (Scottish Diet Action Plan, 1996)

3. Why should children Eat Well? • Reduce rising obesity levels • Help prevent chronic • diseases such as • heart disease • diabetes • high blood pressure • osteoporosis • Reduce risk of anaemia • Improve dental health • Better concentration • may improve learning

4. Links to Adult Health • Overweight children = overweight adults • Overweight children = diabetic (type 2) adults • High fat diets = raised blood cholesterol • High sugar intake = dental decay • Blood pressure higher in children who add salt

5. Children’s Consumption (The Scottish Health Survey 2003) • Eating less than half the recommended fruit and vegetables per day • 80% eating too much sugar • 90% eating too much fat • All eating too much salt

6. Obesity in Children (The Scottish Health Survey 2003) Approx. Nursery 4% Primary 1 Girls 12% Boys 13% Primary 3 Girls 15% Boys 10% Primary 7 Girls 23% Boys 24% Secondary 3 Girls 24% Boys 22%

7. Health and Wellbeing(Curriculum for Excellence) • Effective, successful learning  Health • Everyone in the school’s community • Partnership working • HWB Experiences and Outcomes • Mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing • Planning for choices and changes • Physical education, physical activity and sport • Food and health • Substance misuse • Relationships, sexual health and parenthood

8. Aims of Eat Well to Play Well • To encourage children to eat a healthy balanced diet • To encourage children to be more active • To help to prevent obesity

9. Development of EWTPW • Working in partnership • Have a Heart Paisley • NHS Argyll & Clyde (Renfrewshire CHP, NHSGGC) • Renfrewshire Council • Phase 1 – production of nutrition and physical activity food mat game for nurseries in Paisley • Evaluation • Phase 2 – production of child/parent story bags to reinforce health messages at home • Renfrewshire Council – roll out to Renfrewshire

10. Stage 1 – (age 3-4 years) Introducing Food Groups Bread, Other Cereals & Potatoes Fruit and Vegetables Foods & drinks containing fat & sugar Meat, fish & alternatives Milk and dairy foods

11. Stage 2 – (Age 4-4½ years) Introducing Health Messages

12. Stage 3 – (Age 4½-5 years) Introducing Meal Ideas Lunch Bread Apple Yoghurt Tuna Sweetcorn Crisps

13. EWTPW Parents Bags • Have fun with your child, whilst reinforcing the importance of a balanced diet & physical activity • Bag contains: • Table food mat • Food pictures – for each food group • Health pictures – for four main food groups • Manual with suggested games • CD with 3 action songs • Feedback to nursery staff

14. Primary School Resource September 2007 Food mat and models Builds on EWTPW health messages Links curriculum and food provision in schools Hungry for Success Schools (Nutrition and Health Promotion) (Scotland) Act 2007 Curriculum for Excellence Health and Wellbeing Eat Well to Do Well

15. Does not mean denying foods Varied, balanced diet Enjoying lots of different foods Growth and Development Future Health Eating is an important part of everyone’s life. Summary of Healthy Eating

16. Thank You Any Questions? Eileen Muir, Community Dietitian, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Renfrewshire CHP.