05 November 2007

Kids Crunch and Sip their way to good health

NSW Health Minister, Reba Meagher, today launched a statewide program to encourage school children to eat more fruit and vegetables and drink more water in a bid to tackle childhood obesity.

The Crunch and Sip program involves primary schools scheduling a break in the school day for children to eat fruit and vegetables and drink water in the classroom.

Ms Meagher said Crunch and Sip is being implemented by the NSW School Canteen Association through the Australian Better Health Initiative. More than 80 primary schools from across western Sydney and the Blue Mountains have already expressed interest in the program, and wider interest is expected.

"This program aims to increase fruit and vegetable and water consumption among primary school children, and decrease consumption of energy dense foods and soft drinks," she said.

Ms Meagher said children spend a significant amount of their day at school, making it an ideal place to promote healthy eating and drinking habits.

"Currently the majority of school aged children do not eat the recommended two fruits and five vegetables each day, so this program is an important step forward in educating children about healthy eating," Ms Meagher said at the program launch at Croydon Public School in Sydney.

"It is important for children to develop healthy eating habits while they are still young - habits that can stay with them for life."

Ms Meagher said recent statistics show that if current trends continue, by 2025 half of the children and young people in NSW will be overweight or obese.

"Being overweight or obese has negative physical, social and mental wellbeing consequences. It also leads to an increased risk of chronic diseases, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and injury due to falls," she said.

Ms Meagher said the Crunch and Sip program formed part of the Government's commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles in the community.

"Around 98 per cent of school canteens in NSW have already successfully introduced a healthy canteen policy. The Crunch and Sip program is another way of reinforcing the importance of children eating fresh fruit and vegetables and ultimately tackling childhood obesity," she said.

Education Minister John Della Bosca said re-fuelling children with fruit and vegetables during the morning or afternoon could also improve their physical and mental performance and concentration in the classroom.

"This is about making sure kids learn the right eating habits early. Taking time out to eat and drink the right things will make a big difference," Mr Della Bosca said.

Curriculum material has been developed with the Department of Education and Training so that schools can support the Crunch and Sip program during lesson time. Primary schools from the public, Catholic and independent sectors are all eligible to participate in the Crunch and Sip program. For further information on the program go to: http://www.crunchandsip.com.au

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au