Islanders are encouraged to take steps to improve the eating habits of children and youth this week during Healthy Eating Week.
The first annual Healthy Eating Week is sponsored by the PEI Healthy Eating Alliance, a group of organizations and individuals dedicated to working together to improve the eating habits of school-aged children in PEI.
Alliance co-chair Jennifer Taylor advised that the establishment of Healthy Eating Week is one of the first major initiatives in the implementation of the Healthy Eating Strategy, which was launched in December 2002. "Over time, we hope to develop the week as a key opportunity to raise public awareness of the importance of developing healthy eating habits when we are young, and to engage individuals and groups who work with children to create supportive environments for healthy eating," she said.
Several activities have been organized to celebrate the week including the development of a Healthy Eating Survival Kit for Busy Families. The kit includes information on healthy eating and physical activity for children, healthy eating tips, recipes, healthy meal planners and grocery shopping lists. The kits are available at Access PEI Centres, Public Health Nursing offices, and the Health Information Resource Centre at 1 Rochford Street in Charlottetown.
Alliance co-chair Holly Smith advised that childhood obesity is a major health issue. "Eating habits formed in childhood usually extend throughout a person's lifetime. By supporting our children to eat healthy, we can have a powerful impact on their lifelong health and well-being," she said. "Healthy Eating Week is an excellent opportunity for families to access good information on what children should be eating, and how to fit the preparation of healthy foods into their busy lives."
For more information on Healthy Eating Week, or to access a Healthy Eating Survival Kit, contact the Health Information Resource Centre toll-free at
1 800 241 6970.
Backgrounder:
PEI Healthy Eating Strategy
What is the purpose of the Healthy Eating Strategy?
The purpose of the strategy is to improve the eating behaviours of Island children and youth through nutrition education, promotion, and the creation of supportive environments for healthy eating. The strategy will be implemented by the PEI Healthy Eating Alliance.
Who is the Healthy Eating Alliance?
The Healthy Eating Alliance is a multi-sectoral group of individuals from government departments, community organizations, and university faculties. It includes professionals from all disciplines and interested people from all sectors across PEI who share in the concern for children's health. The Healthy Eating Alliance has two working groups, the Nutrition Education and Promotion group and the Access to Safe and Healthy Foods group.
Who will benefit from the strategy?
The initial focus of the strategy is on school-age children between the ages of 6 to 18. Eating patterns are established early in life and obesity tracks into adulthood. Children spend a significant amount of their time in school, and what they see and do at school can be a great source of influence in their lives. By focussing on children during these habit-forming years in an environment that has the potential to be health promoting, we can make a difference in the choices they make about their health and lifestyle.
The strategy will also benefit parents and teachers who have the most opportunity to teach children about healthy eating and to act as role models.
How will the strategy be implemented?
Each working group has developed an action plan and will work in partnership to implement the action items in each of the plans. Much of the work will be focused on the school setting. It will involve empowering children to make their own healthy choices, and making healthy food choices more available.
Who are the members of the Healthy Eating Alliance?
PEI Division Canadian Cancer Society
Heart and Stroke Foundation of PEI
PEI Active Living Alliance
PEI Home Economics Assoc.
Dietitians of Canada
Medical Society of PEI
Island Pediatricians
Association of Nurses of PEI
Breastfeeding Coalition of PEI
Atlantic Superstore
PEI Teachers' Federation
PEI Home and School Federation
Eastern School District
Western School Board
French School Board
Red Cross
Family Resource Centres
Socio-Behavioural Cancer Research Network
Parent representatives
Department of Education
Department of Agriculture - School Milk Program
Department of Community and Cultural Affairs (Culture, Heritage & Recreation)
Department of Health and Social Services
Regional Health Authorities
Community Nutrition
Public Health Nursing
Health Canada (Health Promotion and Protection Division)
Early Childhood Development Association
Milk Maritime
UPEI
Faculty of Education
Department of Family and Nutritional Sciences
School of Nursing
Department of Psychology