Eat Well Tasmanian Kids

 
Eating well should start early. If poor eating habits are formed when children are young, then they may persist into adulthood. If children develop high blood cholesterol or become overweight they have a greater chance of developing diet related diseases such as diabetes and coronary heart disease when they become adults.

Our recent national nutrition survey showed that children were not eating enough vegetables and fruit and that the rate of overweight and obesity in children is increasing. There are many ways we can get children to try new foods, and to enjoy eating healthy foods. Some ideas are outlined in the "Start Them Right booklet, a Parent’s Guide to Healthy Eating for Under Fives". Order bulk hard copies of the booklet at $3.50 each, discount applies for 500 or more copies.

Eat Well Tasmania actively supports partner organisations to promote childhood nutrition. One of the ways we do this is through the Eat Well Tasmania Kids Coalition.

Why this Coalition?

There are many organisations involved in child nutrition promotion programs and activities, and it was felt that we could all benefit from a network and the opportunity to share information, add value and learn from each other.

We want to develop common vision and work together in a coordinated and cohesive manner for the benefit of child nutrition in Tasmania.

• To provide a network for anyone with an interest or working in child nutrition promotion
• To share information about child nutrition
• To link new initiatives with existing projects wherever possible, so as to strengthen existing projects and prevent duplication of effort
• To add value to ideas and activities to ensure more effective approaches to child nutrition promotion
• To identify gaps or areas of need, agree on priorities and identify opportunities to address these needs
• To coordinate efforts to seek further funding or sponsorship for child nutrition promotion projects
• To ensure consistent messages are promoted in child nutrition promotion activities
• To work towards ensuring the sustainability of child nutrition promotion project outcomes
• To act as a cohesive advocate for child nutrition in Tasmania
• To raise the profile of child nutrition in Tasmania

• Family Food Patch: training food educators to work in their local communities promoting nutrition and physical activity to parents of children under 5.
• Nutrition in child care
• Cool Canteen Accreditation Program: promoting and educating children about preparing food, healthy eating and increasing the availability of healthy meals and snacks for children in schools
• Various other school based nutrition projects such as Wicked Vegies, Move Well Eat Well for Schools, and Fruitful Fundraising.
• Breastfeeding Promotion: visit Australian Breastfeeding Association at www.breastfeeding.asn.au/ and the Tasmanian Breastfeeding Coalition www.breastfeedingtas.org/