Food and nutrition activities

Some people might choose this period to complete short courses, online degree programs, or projects around the home.

Whatever goals people may have in mind or how they choose to spend their time, the focus should be to improve the quality of life.

Therefore, be determined to adopt a healthier lifestyle, relieve stress, and enjoy family and friends, as well as children. For this cause adolescents, parents/guardians and community volunteers can come together to participate in food and nutrition activities. Such planned programmes can be probably conducted at the local, regional, and international levels engaging businesses, faith-based organisations, and communities. Today’s article will focus on interactive food and nutrition activities that can probably contribute to preventing disease, and promoting health and wellness among children and their families.

Healthy habits Helping children and adolescents to maintain their health is essential; this of course should include bringing together parents, caregivers, members of the extended family, and community residents.

You will find that they form the supportive network to assist the children and teens in not only making wise food choices, but also in promoting and developing healthy habits to last a lifetime, such as choosing nutritious foods and beverages to enhance growth and development, and regular participation in physical activity.

Moreover, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics supports this view; they documented in their position statement the significance in maintaining the health of children. For example good eating habits in children within the age group two to 11 years as well as their engaging frequently in physical activity can be beneficial in achieving optimal physical health and good cognitive development and function, maintaining healthy weights, enjoying food, and lowering the potential risk for developing chronic diseases.

Some challenges Although, it is critical to implement the healthy practices, however, according to studies conducted, there might be some challenges. These can include, but should not be limited to lack of income, food availability and access, long working hours of parents/guardians perhaps contributing to greater consumption of meals and snacks prepared outside of the home, or more convenience foods. Add to that list, increase portion sizes, preference for foods high in fat, sugar, and salt, lack of basic cooking skills, food and nutrition knowledge deficit, and the availability of cooking and storage equipment – all of which may tend to negatively impact health.

Children and teens who prefer to remain indoors and play video games, along with environmental concerns such as a safe place for play, violence in communities – such factors, may more than likely have a negative effect on physical activity level.

Simple practical approach Teaching children and their parents/ guardians how to prepare nutritious meals and snacks can be beneficial. For example, the registered dietitian and public health nutritionist can plan interactive food and nutrition activities focusing on the following themes; keeping food safe and basic sanitation principles, the nutritive value of foods, the Caribbean Food Groups, basic functions of nutrients and good sources, which foods to limit or omit containing high amounts of fat, sugar, and salt, benefits of adding fruits and vegetables to the diet, omitting sugary beverages – choose water instead, healthy fats, the importance of breakfast and examples of nutritious food choices, the food label, healthy cooking – working with recipes using local produce, planning a balanced meal and healthy snacks, and how to prepare, store, and package food.

This, of course, can be a collaborative approach involving food demonstrators; the caterers or chefs/cooks for school meals programme, cafeteria operators, and community residents or church associates responsible for planning pot luck dinners can also be invited to participate.

Also, to achieve and maintain a healthy weight, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicated that children should be encouraged to enjoy play; physical activities selected should be age-appropriate and enjoyable. The recommendation is that children and adolescents should do one hour or more of physical activity each day. Furthermore, ensure children and adolescents participate in the three types of physical activity: aerobic activity should make up most of the one hour of physical activity daily, example moderate-intensity activity such as brisk walking, and vigorous-intensity activity for example running (at least three days per week); muscle strengthening such as gymnastics or push-ups, three days per week, and bone strengthening such as jumping rope or running, three days per week, to be included as part of the one hour.

Nutrition message: participation in food and nutrition activities can benefit children and their families.

Claudette Mitchell, PhD, RD is an Assistant Professor, University of the Southern Caribbean, Department of Family and Consumer Sciences