A child’s weight has little to do with how healthy they will be, contrary to what granny may have told you.
The sad truth is that excess weight and obesity typically begin in early infancy, somewhere between the ages of five and ten. About 10% of Singaporean children aged 5 are considered overweight. As they get older, they are more likely to continue to be at risk for a variety of health issues.
How to Maintain a Healthy Weight for Your Child
Growing causes children to put on weight. When a person puts on excessive weight in relation to their height, concerns should be raised. Causes include excessive eating, inactivity, and the consumption of high-calorie foods like candy and fried snacks.
Do you want your children to be at a healthy weight? Get them in the habit of:
- consuming a healthy, well-balanced diet to sustain their needs
- consuming food high in nutrients; every serving is important because kids eat less overall
- doing regular exercise
By the time a child reaches the age of five, he or she has already established eating patterns that are very likely to continue into adulthood. The benefits of teaching your children good eating habits at a young age will be felt throughout their lives.
The Preschool Nutrition Improvement Program
When a parent is at home to care for their kids, that parent has more say over what their kids consume. Parents can better monitor their children’s eating habits when they are the ones who prepare their meals on a daily basis.
If your child attends preschool, whether for a few hours or the full day, they may eat at least two of their primary meals there. How do you know they’re getting enough healthy meals to eat there?
One option is to enroll your child in a preschool that has received the Healthy Meals in Preschools Programme (HMPP) seal of approval. These preschools are committed to serving better meals and helping young children form positive associations with healthy foods.
What will your kids eat?
Your children will receive the following at these preschools:
- nutritious, well-balanced meals and nibbles
- meals that are more nutritious because they include whole grains, lean protein, vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
- healthier options with less sugar, fat, and salt
For instance, during lunchtime, your kids may be given a balanced meal consisting of brown rice, whole wheat bread, lean meat, vegetables, and fruits.
Where will these meals come from?
Not to worry, though; the Health Promotion Board provides training and evaluation for HMPP kitchen staff. They are also instructed on:
- planning a meal
- techniques for making food healthy
- employing healthier products, such as whole grains, brown rice, and healthier oils with lower levels of saturated fat
- age-appropriate serving sizes for kids
What else do they learn?
As part of their nutrition education, your kids will also learn how to make better food choices. Preschoolers at Early Learning’s Fun Preschool, for instance, are briefed on the day’s menu prior to snack and lunchtime to help them get familiar with the foods they will be eating and the words for those foods.
They may bring up topics like “My Healthy Plate” and the importance of eating more whole grains, fruit, and vegetables that they’ve learned about in class. They may even share stories about how they helped make dinner or how they discovered the process of vegetable cultivation on a school field trip.
Preschools participating in the Healthy Meal Preparation Programme (HMPP), such as My First Skool located at Blk 245 Bishan Street 22, are turning lessons on healthy eating into games by encouraging their students to “play with food” through activities like food sorting and recipe creation.
Why not inquire about the preschool’s healthy eating activities and consider incorporating some of the skills learned there into your own family’s mealtime routine?
When children are exposed to healthy food options at home and at school, they are more likely to continue these practices as adults.