Nutrition Education and Physical Activity in Schools

Good nutrition and physical activity habits provide long term health benefits for young people. Current research indicates the obesity rate amongst Australian children is rising. Higher kilojoule intake and lower levels of physical activity are impacting on the health of many Australians. As part of a holistic approach to addressing health and wellbeing issues, schools can play an important part in promoting physical activity and providing sound nutritional information to students enabling them to make healthier lifestyle choices.

Active-Ate was developed as a resource to assist Queensland schools in providing nutrition education and promoting physical activity amongst young people. When planning education programs around nutrition and physical activity, schools should consider the departmental direction in regard to the provision of nutrition education and physical activity in the school setting. Programs should be developed in the context of the Years 1 - 10 Health and Physical Education Syllabus . Education Queensland has developed the Student Health and Wellbeing Curriculum Framework to assist schools in developing education programs around health issues. It highlights the links between health issues and student health and wellbeing through a skills-based approach. Specific information is included around nutrition and physical activity.

Key information on nutrition and physical activity is provided by the Commonwealth Government through two initiatives. The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating developed by the Department of Health and Ageing, provides information to Australians on how to choose a healthy diet. This initiative organises foods into categories and recommends the amounts and types of foods to be consumed to maintain health. The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating provides essential information which is the foundation of nutrition education

The Building an Active, Healthy Australia website provides information on the Active School Curriculum initiative. This initiative outlines the levels of activity required to be undertaken by students in schools. Each State and Territory government and non-government education authority is required to include in their curriculum at least two hours of physical activity each school week for primary and junior secondary school children.

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