The National Health and Medical Research Council recommendations aim to prevent obesity, which is becoming increasingly common among Australian adults and children.
Indeed, recent research in New South Wales schools revealed that 26.1% of boys and 23.7% of girls are overweight or obese.
The previous age at which it was suggested children should switch to low-fat milk was four years. Children under two have particularly high energy needs and with dairy foods playing a vital role in diet in these early years, reduced fat products are not able to adequately meet these needs.
The dietary guidelines also urge us to:
• Eat plenty of vegetables, legumes and fruits – at least two serves of fruit and five of vegetables every day
• Eat plenty of cereals (including breads, rice, pasta and noodles), preferably wholegrain
• Include lean meat, fish or poultry
• Include milks, yoghurts, cheeses ... reduced fat varieties should be chosen, where possible
• Make water the drink of choice
• Limit saturated fat and moderate total fat intake
• Choose foods low in salt
• Consume only moderate amounts of sugars and foods containing added sugars
• Prepare and store foods safely.
Eating is, of course, only half of the formula for good health.
Children should be physically active for at least one hour per day.
- Tim Pegler is the editor of www.fitness2live.com.au
Reference:
Booth M, Okely AD, Denney-Wilson E, Hardy L, Yang B, Dobbins T (2006). NSW Schools Physical Activity and Nutrition Survey (SPANS) 2004; Full Report. Sydney. NSW Department of Health
Related reading
Drinking Milk A Tall Order
Soft Drinks, Soft Bones
Warning on Early Weight Problems
Weight Problem Going Unnoticed
