Ministry of Health Media Release August 6th, 2012
Food and Nutrition Guidelines for Healthy Children and Young People
The new Food and Nutrition Guidelines for Healthy Children and Young People (Aged 2-18 years) were released today by the
Ministry of Health.
These guidelines are a handbook for health practitioners who work with and for children and young people.
They provide evidence-based recommendations about food, nutrition and physical activity for this age group.
Two nutrition resources for the public have also been updated to reflect these recommendations.
The Ministry of Health Chief Advisor on Child and Youth Health, Dr Pat Tuohy, said today “ A concerning finding from
recent research was that many children are eating treat foods most days. These are empty calories which fill children up
but don’t nourish them.“
“The guidelines provide advice about how to improve children’s nutrition and keep them healthy which includes keeping
high fat, sugar or salt food for occasional use only,” Dr Tuohy said.
Children and young people (aged 2-18 years) represent a quarter of our total population – that’s just over a million
people.
It is known that good nutrition and physical activity during childhood and adolescence are essential for normal growth
and development and will contribute to good health and reduced levels of chronic disease and disability in adulthood.
The dietary requirements of children and young people are different to those of adults, and change as children and young
people develop.
The guidelines and advice to the public covers a very wide range of topics, including:
· the dietary patterns and nutrient intakes of New Zealand children and young people with recommendations for practical
interventions;
· physical activity recommendations, as well as approaches to reduce sedentary behaviour;
· topical issues related to 2-18 year olds are discussed, for example energy drinks and energy shots; and
· the many influences on the diet of children and young people, with practical suggestions to assist parents and
caregivers to encourage healthy eating in the home.
A copy of the Food and Nutrition Guidelines for Healthy Children and Young People (Aged 2-18 years): A background paper
is available on the Ministry of Health website at: www.health.govt.nz
The health messages for the public can be found in the Ministry’s health education resources Eating for Healthy Children
aged 2-12 years (HE1302) and Healthy Eating for Young People (13 – 18 years) (HE1230), available at:
www.healthed.govt.nz
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