Children's healthful eating: from research to practice
Worsley, A.
Food and Nutrition Bulletin 26(2 Suppl 2): S135-S143
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 0379-5721 PMID: 16075562 DOI: 10.1177/15648265050262s203Document Number: 557558
This paper provides a brief overview of some of the challenges facing the world community in promoting the nutrition status of school children. It begins by describing the main objectives and aims of children's nutrition promotion and then moves to consider the needs and environments of school children, the purposes of education and food and nutrition promotion, and the domains of schools and teachers. In the second part of the paper the evidence bases for food and nutrition promotion are considered, especially the gaps in current knowledge. This leads to a discussion of useful practice models as well as a case study of a school health promotion programme in Australia. The final part of the paper examines some proposals for school children's food and nutrition policies, which might be implemented in local schools as well as nationally and internationally. The main theme underlying these proposals is that policies must be created and their effectiveness monitored regularly and reported back to school teachers, health workers, school communities, and governments.