Preschools fight obesity

THE Gold Coast will be one of three cities in Queensland to launch a preschool program to tackle the obesity epidemic.

Life Education Queensland has announced a nutrition education plan for four and five-year-olds to target rising childhood obesity, overweight trends and junk-food eating.

It will be implemented early next year on the Gold Coast, Logan and Ipswich before it is rolled out statewide.

Life Education chief executive Michael Fawsitt said more than 25 per cent of children were obese or overweight and only 1 per cent met the recommended daily serves of fruit and vegetables.

“According to the most recent Queensland Chief Health Officer’s Report, vegetable consumption in children has dropped by 32 per cent since 2013,” he said. “We also know that overconsumption of unhealthy food and drinks is contributing to more than a third of total energy intake and contributing to weight gain in some children.

“Habits begin to establish themselves at a young age, so we shouldn’t wait until children are six or seven years old to provide education on making healthy food choices.”

Gold Coast Health trauma surgeon Dr Martin Wullschleger joined Mr Fawsitt and the charity’s mascot, Healthy Harold, to announce the new program at Mermaid Waters Community Kindergarten.

Dr Wullschleger said it was vital to start educating children early about making healthy food choices and leading active lifestyles.

“Just like we educate teenagers around the risks, choices and consequences of risky behaviours such as unsafe driving, drugs and drinking, this program will educate young children how to make smart choices when it comes to food and being physically active,” said the Life Education Queensland board director.

Life Education Queensland is the state’s largest provider of preventive health education to schoolchildren. The new nutrition program will be funded by some of the $1.28 million provided to Life Education by Queensland Health.