More than ever before, there is growing community concern around healthy weight, healthy eating and the benefits of being more physically active. ‘Go for your life’ aims to encourage healthy eating and physical activity and promote healthy weight. ‘Go for your life’ is engaging young students/ children across Victoria in the challenge of adopting healthier lifestyles and preventing chronic diseases.
Important tips for school aged children
- Children need a variety of different foods each day.
- Snacks are an important part of a healthy diet for active children.
- Take healthy snacks and lunch from home or buy nutritious food from the canteen.
- Encourage physical activities for the whole family.
- Encourage your child to be physically active for at least 60 minutes every day.
- Outdoor free play is the most accessible and beneficial activity for children.
- Let children tell you when they are full.
- Encourage children to drink plain water.
(Go For Your Life, 2011).
Food needs
Food is an issue in today’s society with the ever growing number of fast food and processed food being eaten. A healthy, balanced approach to eating and activity is suggested for all children and adult to be the example. Children need a wide variety of foods for a well balanced diet. Offer a range of foods from the following groups:
Food is an issue in today’s society with the ever growing number of fast food and processed food being eaten. A healthy, balanced approach to eating and activity is suggested for all children and adult to be the example. Children need a wide variety of foods for a well balanced diet. Offer a range of foods from the following groups:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Breads and cereals
- Meat, fish, chicken, eggs, legumes
- Milk, cheese and yoghurt.
“At primary school age, children are improving basic movements including motor skills, hand and eye coordination and balance. By the middle years of primary school, children can participate in modified sports like ‘Auskick’ and ‘Netta’ netball or attend ‘kids clubs’ with an emphasis on fun rather than competition. However, outdoor free play is an easy, low cost and physically beneficial option for children” (Go For Your Life, 2011).
(Go For Your Life, 2011).
Overall that recommendation of school aged children participate in at least one hour – and up to several hours – of physical activity every day.
Very few children do 60 minutes of continuous activity. It is more natural and developmentally appropriate for children to do activity in short bursts.
“Carers and other family members, such as grandparents, can share the responsibility of encouraging children to be active every day outside school. Families should seek out and be aware of low cost activities in the local area” (Go For Your Life 2011).
