The HealthyLife ‘Living Healthy Report’ for 2024 delivered some concerning news on the future health of today’s children. Children born between 2023 and 2033 may have shorter lifespans than their parents. Why? An unhealthy diet, combined with increasing screen time and declining physical activity, is having a significant impact.
Many households are not buying enough from our five food groups as recommended by the Australian Dietary Guidelines, instead leaning heavily on discretionary foods. Let’s explore the implications of this and how we can collaborate with families and childcare centres to ensure a brighter, healthier future for our children.
What does our Kids’ health look like today?
The 2024 statistics are painting a challenging picture of the current state for the health of children.
Discretionary foods make up about 37% of a household food shop.
Only 1 in 4 children meet the recommended 60 minutes or more of physical activity per day.
Screen time exceeds the guidelines of less than 2 hours recreational use per day in over 68% of children.
The choices we make as families with shopping, eating habits and staying active, as well as within our childcare centres can influence our health and that of our children. It’s time to start taking small achievement steps to turn this around and Dietitians can play a role in guiding people into making healthier choices and sustainable habits.
The World Around Us: How Environments Shape Health
Our health and choices are also influenced by environmental factors. Here are the key factors that shape what we eat and how active we are:
Food Environment. The availability and affordability of food significantly impacts what we eat. Areas of easy to access fresh and healthy foods promote better dietary habits compared to environments dominated by highly processed, energy dense foods contribute to poor nutrition.
Cultural. traditions and values shape eating habits, preferences and attitudes towards food and health.
Digital Health – food choices are influenced through advertising, health apps, food trends and social media. Not only the food advertising for children but also ads targeted parents and families alike.
Health Care – access to healthcare provides essential guidance on nutrition and disease prevention
Education – enhances health literacy and informs dietary decisions
Transport and walkability – accessible transport and walkable neighbourhoods promote physical activity and access to healthy food.
How do our eating habits compare to guidelines?
Here’s a snapshot of the recommended daily food group serves versus what we’re actually eating:
Food Group | Recommended Serves | Food group serves purchased by Australians |
Vegetables | 5 | 2.5 |
Fruit | 2 | 1.5 |
Grains | Male: 5 Female: 4 | 3.9 |
Dairy | 2.5 | 1.4 |
Meat and alternatives | Male: 2.5 Female: 3 | 2.1 |
Discretionary Foods | 0-3 | 6.1 |
2024 Living Healthy Report, age group 9-11.
The data reveals significant gaps between the recommended and actual serves of food groups being purchased, in particular for vegetables and dairy, contributing to fibre and calcium for bone health. Alarmingly, discretionary food consumption far exceeds guidelines (6.1 vs. 0-3 serves), contributing to poor dietary quality, excess energy intake and potential long term health risks, highlighting the need for healthier dietary choices to improve overall nutrition.
Challenges We’re Facing
Screen Time and Physical Activity
Screen time is skyrocketing, leaving less time for children to move and play. Physical activity is vital for maintaining healthy bodies and minds, but many children are not meeting the guidelines.
Rising Food Prices
Healthy eating can feel out of reach when food prices are climbing. But research shows a healthy shop can actually cost less if we focus on core foods and plan ahead.
Time Pressures
Busy schedules make it tough to cook nutritious meals. Many families turn to convenience foods, which often lack the nutrients kids need to thrive.
Nutrition for the Next Generation within Childcare
There’s no doubt that The HealthyLife ‘2024 Living Healthy Report’ has highlighted some alarming statistics. While the report is focusing on household shopping trends, Childcare centres and educators should be aware of this concerning report too. Children spend many hours in childcare, and this environment can have a large impact on children and their future!
Children born between 2023 and 2033 may have shorter lifespans than their parents, that’s the babies in your babies room and all the children yet to born, who will come into your care. We believe, this report stresses the importance of a healthy food offering within your centre as children may not be getting this at home. Secondly, your childcare centre provides an amazing opportunity to promote and educate healthy eating to create these lifelong habits.
Encourage movement and playtime within your childcare. Find fun ways for children to be active and move throughout the day. Remember exercise and movement, especially for children, should be a fun and positive experience so find games and activities that get children excited to move.
Remember naps can be important for younger children.
Minimise screentime, in particular staff as role models for children. Limit phone or iPad use in front of the kids.
Encourage mindful eating, and socialisation with eating together at meal and snack times.
Healthy eating in childcare starts with a healthy menu
Plan well to support healthy eating with some tips below, and through nutritious childcare menus.
Limit intake of sugary drinks such as soft drinks, cordials, and fruit juices.
Limit intake of discretionary foods such as chips, chocolate, lollies, ice cream, biscuits, cake, pastry foods including sausage rolls, pies, pasties, and croissants, and fast-food options like pizza, and hot chips.
Go that extra mile and have your menu approved by a Dietitian. This will help to ensure your food options are not high in added sugars and can provide you with ideas for including a variety of healthy food options kids will enjoy.
Find out more about how to build a delicious and nutritious Childcare Menu
Seasonal Menus in Childcare can grow healthy children
Food offers nutrients to keep us healthy, encourages socialisation and draws on cultural values. The food provided within childcare centres is no different and has an essential role to play. As such, optimising childcare menus is a key aspect of good quality care.
Dietitians tailor menus to ensure children are offered nutritious meals, whilst having the opportunity to partake in positive mealtime experiences. This is why it is so important to liaise with an Accredited Practising Dietitian for your menu.
Children in childcare are reliant on the childcare centres for provision of many snacks and meals, and fluids and need an opportunity for a healthy menu to optimise growth and development. Good nutrition is a vital component for good health within childcare.
Menu planning provides children with the opportunity to:
Meet their nutrition requirements with variety of colours, textures and flavours.
Enjoy their food.
Have meals that are catered to their preferences.
Strengthen their immune systems and support healthy growth.
Our Dietitians use the Australian Dietary Guidelines to create menus that are nutritionally adequate to ensure best health outcomes for children. Our Dietitians have the training and skills required to develop a menu in accordance with current standards and guidelines.
We’re here to support you with seasonal meu reviews or to develop a delicious and nutritious menu within your childcare centre.
Seasonal childcare menus help with raising foods costs
The raising cost of food is no joking matter. Families and childcare centres are feeling the pinch. Seasonal menus provide the opportunity to use seasonal produce which not only tastes delicious but helps with the raising food costs. Secondly, by purchasing food wholesale, Childcare centres save more or a lot on their monthly shop depending on the number of children. Your seasonal menu provides the opportunity to order in bulk, reduce time pressures and overall save money.
For more information on wholesale food prices, reach out to our team.
Practical Suggestions for families for a Healthier Future
Here are some easy ways to boost health and wellbeing:
Get moving
Encourage playtime, whether it’s a family walk after dinner, a quick game of soccer, or even a dance party in the living room. Every little bit of movement counts!
Prioritise sleep
Healthy sleep habits are essential for growing bodies. Set consistent bedtimes and limit screens before bed.
Support mental wellbeing
Help kids feel their best by encouraging mindfulness, gratitude, and open conversations about feelings.
Plan and shop smart
A little planning goes a long way. Create a weekly meal plan and shop with a list to avoid impulse buys. Prioritise fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Eat together
Family meals are a great opportunity to model healthy eating and spend quality time together. Plus, they’re fun!
How can a Dietitian help families and childcare centres?
Dietitians are here to make healthy living easier. They can:
Provide personalised nutrition advice in our clinic or through telehealth tailored to your family’s needs.
Help with meal planning, whether it’s for your home or childcare centre.
Support childcare centres with menu planning, menu reviews and recipe development to ensure providing opportunities for children to meet recommended food groups.
Easy steps to eat healthier
Here are some simple steps to get started:
Start Small: Swap one snack a day for a piece of fruit or a handful of nuts.
Cook Together: Encourage kids to be involved with cooking or food preparation as they are more likely to try new foods when they help make them. Be a role model and show children how taste healthy food can be.
Hydrate: Water is the best drink for staying healthy. Make it fun with colourful cups or by adding fresh fruit for flavour.
Education: Investigate the impact of unhealthy food and drink on children
Stick to a Routine: Regular meals and snacks help kids avoid grazing on less nutritious options.
The health of our future generation is a team effort, and small changes can make a big difference. With the right strategies and support, we can raise a generation that’s healthy, happy, and full of life.
If you need help getting started, reach out to an OSCAR Care Group Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) for support.