Start young to prevent lifelong obesity

Good eating and physical activity habits in children can set up healthy patterns for their whole life.  

And pre-schools and schools can reinforce these habits, not just through what is taught in the curriculum, but in the whole environment - lunches, the transport to and from school, the use of fields and facilities, fundraising and events.

Many children are served lunch or snacks at early childhood centres, or buy from school tuckshops, with those in lower decile areas often serving less healthy options. Yet there are many positive programmes around food guidelines, walking school buses, onsite gardens and kitchens and promoting physical activity and sport – all of which could be extended further through the region.