Ellesmere Medical Practice > Ellesmere Patients' Group > Healthy Lifestyles > Diet and Nutrition
 

Key Facts
  • Most children and adults do not meet dietary recommendations.
  • An estimated one in three deaths from cancer and one in three deaths from coronary heart disease are attributable to poor diet.
  • Consuming at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day can reduce the risk from heart disease, stroke and cancer by up to 20%.
  • A reduction in the salt intake of the population to 6g per day would result in an estimated reduced incidence of coronary heart disease by 6%, stroke by 15%, and hypertension by 17%.
  • Reducing fat intake, particularly saturated fat, can help lower the risk of coronary heart disease and some cancers.
  • Infants who are breastfed are five times less likely to be admitted to hospital in the first year of life with infections and are less likely to become obese in later childhood.
  • Treating ill health related to poor diet is estimated to cost the NHS at least £4 billion each year.
How are these diet and nutrition issues being addressed? 
The Government has realised that it is important to ensure the younger generation have an informed choice about the importance of a healthy diet. Much progress has been made within schools to help inform the children about nutritional standards. It is hoped that the knowledge these young children gain in their formative years whilst in school will lead to a longer healthier life as they mature into adults.

 
Children and Young People – Starting on the Right Path:
The School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme has been expanded so that all four to six year old children in Local Authority maintained infant, primary and special schools in England are eligible for a free piece of fruit or vegetable every school day.

Nutrition in school meals is being improved by:

  • Revising both primary and secondary school meals standards to reduce the consumption of fat, salt and sugar and increase the consumption of other essential nutrients. Nutrient based standards are now taken into account in Ofsted inspections;
  • The new standards will also cover food across the school day, including vending machines and tuck shops;
  • New guidance on food procurement for heads and governors, and improving training and support for school meal providers and catering staff.

There is also a comprehensive package to assist schools across England in implementing the whole school approach to healthy eating and drinking. The package pulls together information on healthier breakfast clubs, tuck shops, vending machines, lunch boxes, cookery clubs, water provision, growing clubs and dining room environment. The package has been fully integrated into the Healthy Schools Programme.

 

Preschool
Health visitors provide information and support to parents on a range of parenting issues including breastfeeding, infant nutrition and healthy diet. NHS maternity services provide a range of practical advice and support to encourage mothers to start and continue to breastfeed. Ellesmere will soon have it’s own “Children’s Centre” which will provide guidance and support to young families on infant feeding, weaning, healthy eating and nutrition.

 
In Schools and Colleges
The National Healthy Schools Standard promotes a ‘whole school approach’ to the health of schoolchildren, teachers and parents. More than 8,000 schools are healthy schools and of these nearly 3,000 are actively promoting healthy eating. The local schools in the Ellesmere area have attained the National Healthy Schools Award.
The Food in Schools programme encourages schools to look at ways to improve their pupils’ diet and includes guidance and training for teachers. There are opportunities to teach about food, nutrition, healthy eating, cooking, safety and hygiene across the national curriculum within science; design and technology; and Personal, Social and Health Education.
 
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