Life expectancy of children could be cut by up to two years if current levels of obesity and weight issues continue, according to the National Preventative Health Taskforce Discussion Paper released by Nicola Roxon, Minister for Health and Ageing. And results of the recent National Children’s Survey show that most kids are not eating enough fruit and vegetables, most likely contributing to high levels of obesity.
According to National Children’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey, only 1 percent of teenagers are eating the recommended three to four serves of whole fruit each day, and only one in five younger children, and one in 20 older children are eating enough vegetables.
When it comes to nutrients, older girls (12 to 16 years of age) don’t get enough calcium and half don’t meet daily requirements for magnesium. The research also found that the majority of children are eating too much saturated fat and sugar, and almost a quarter were found to be overweight or obese.
So, what can we do to help our kids get enough of the foods they need and less of the foods they don’t?
Make home a wholefood zone
It is much harder to convince your kids to eat fruit and vegetables when treat foods, such as chips, biscuits or soft drinks, are available in the pantry. Most kids have the opportunity to eat these foods at parties and other special occasions, so why not keep to wholefoods at home, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, wholegrains, dairy, soy and lean proteins.
Focus on fruit and veg
Try to eat fruit instead of drinking fruit juice and have vegetables as snacks as well as in main meals. Cut fruit is more likely to be eaten than whole fruit. Try it with a dip of yoghurt and honey.
Top up calcium
Dried fruit, nuts and green vegetables all help contribute calcium to your child’s diet, along with calcium-fortified soy and dairy.
Reduce saturated fat
Meat, cakes, biscuits and other processed foods often contain saturated fat (the bad fat that affects our heart health), so try to replace these with legumes, fruits and vegetables whenever possible.
Choose water
The survey found that kids mostly meet their fluid requirements, but remember water is the best option.
Get active
To maintain a healthy weight, it’s important to keep active. Limiting TV, video game and computer time encourages kids to try more active entertainment.
Your say: Do these findings worry you? How are you working to improve the health of your child? Share with us below…
This information is provided by the Sanitarium Nutrition Service.
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