Nutritional lunch boxes great way to start school year

Parents have been given extra reason to keep their children’s lunch boxes nutritious as schools prepare to return from holidays across the state, with the release of concerning statistics.

Minister for Health Lawrence Springborg and Minister for Education John-Paul Langbroek will meet with accredited dietician and expert in portion control Trudy Williams today  at 10 am at the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens to celebrate Healthy Weight Week (January 20 – January 27).

Minister Springborg said the 2012 Health of Queenslanders report released by the Queensland Chief Health Officer presented alarming statistics.

“Obesity rates among Queensland adults and children, and associated costs, are too high with 26.6 per cent of children either overweight or obese,” Mr Springborg said.

“Only 60 per cent of children aged five -17 years eat the recommended serves of fruit per day and only 29 per cent consume the recommended serves of vegetables per day.”

Minister Springborg said although the causes of obesity were complex, good nutrition could help children to build healthy bodies and minds.

“A nutritional lunch box helps children to stay alert in class, be energetic all day, maintain a healthy weight and fight infections,” he said.

“Children have periods of fast growth and are generally very active, which means that their nutritional needs are high, however children don’t always know what food is best for them and need to be guided by their parents.”

Healthy eating means choosing a wide variety of foods every day from the five food groups in the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating:

·         Vegetables and legumes/beans

·         Fruit

·         Grain (cereal) foods, mostly wholegrain e.g. breads, cereals, rice, pasta, noodles

·         Lean meat and poultry, fish, eggs, nuts and seeds and legumes/beans

·         Milk, yoghurt, cheese and/or alternatives (mostly reduced fat)

Minister Langbroek said students needed to eat well during the school day to remain focused on learning.

“The Smart Choices Healthy Food and Drink Supply Strategy has created a strong culture of healthy eating in all Queensland state schools, and many non-state schools as well,” Mr Langbroek said.

“School tuckshops are leading the way, having rewritten their menus in recent years with a greater focus on student health and wellbeing.

“Traditional tuckshop fare like hot pies and sausage rolls have been replaced with healthier options such as salads, sandwiches, fresh fruit and vegetables.

“I encourage those who are packing a school lunch box at home to apply the same principles of good nutrition, by including more fresh, nutrient-rich foods and water or plain milk instead of sugary drinks.”

Australia’s Healthy Weight Week is an initiative of the Dietitians’ Association of Australia to raise awareness of the importance of achieving and maintaining a healthy weight and a healthy lifestyle.

For more information go to http://www.healthyweightweek.com.au/index.asp?pageID=2145857395

Additional information about healthy lunch boxes is available in the Queensland Government publication ‘Great lunches and snacks for hungry kids’ at http://www.health.qld.gov.au/ph/documents/abetterchoice/hungry_kids.pdf

Media are invited to attend today's media event at the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens at 10 am. Please enter via the Edward Street entrance and go to the sheltered gazebo (just off the path).

[ENDS] 22 January 2013

Media contact: Clare Mildren 0417 255 284