I wanted to share a recent news release from Dietitians of Canada regarding the OMA's call to action for food taxes, different labelling, etc. Remember, as a parent you are a role model and there is not just one factor causing today's obesity issues, there are so many reasons....
Dietitians agree that action is needed now to support more children to have a healthy weight
Toronto, ON – October 24, 2012. Dietitians of Canada, the professional association representing dietitians from coast to coast calls for policies and programs that make healthy foods more accessible to children where they live, learn and play. “We all need to eat healthy food to achieve and maintain good health, including a healthy body weight,” says Janice Macdonald, Director of Communications. “We want children to enjoy healthy food most of the time,” she adds. The Association is responding to the recent call for action by the Ontario Medical Association, for aggressive new measures, including taxes on junk food, restricting marketing of fatty and sugary foods to children and policies that would dictate changes in food labelling.
There is no one way to make healthy eating the norm. School nutrition policies make a difference by limiting the availability of low nutrient foods and those high in fat, sugar and salt while kids are at school. Expanding nutrition policies to include recreation centres and children’s sports events furthers the impact. Dietitians have called for stricter controls on the advertising of unhealthy foods and beverages to children. The current system of self-regulation, although a step in the right direction, does not go far enough. This system needs to apply consistent, science-based standards to determine what and how food and beverages are advertised. The Dietitians of Canada position on advertising of food to children and its views on other food and nutrition issues, are available at www.dietitians.ca under ‘Dietitians Views’.
Parents are powerful role models and dietitians encourage parents and caregivers to get the whole family involved in meal planning, shopping and cooking. Eating together as a family as often as possible can result in healthier food choices and eating habits. For resources, tips and recipes to make the job of parents a little easier, visit ‘Your Health’ at www.dietitians.ca To find a dietitian, visit www.dietitians.ca/find
Dietitians of Canada (DC) is the national professional association for dietitians, representing more than 6000 members at the local, provincial and national levels.
For trusted information on nutrition and healthy eating, visit the Dietitians of Canada website at www.dietitians.ca
