Children and Nutrition: 7 to 12 Years Old
There is more to food safety than food hygiene requirements; ignorance about the importance of diet and physical activity is far more dangerous on a large scale than inadequate drainage. In the next two posts I will outline the food competence requirements for young people, in the hope that parents will be able to help their children make educated choices about their diet and lifestyle.
Age 7-9:
Children should be aware of the fact that food and water and fundamental requirements for life and that we need a balanced, varied diet in order to grow and be healthy. They should also be aware that, although variation is important, we should eat more of some kinds of foods than others and that some people choose to eat or not eat some kinds of food. They should also understand that being active is an important part of being healthy.
Age 11-12:
By this point, children should be able to make food choices based on their understanding of the importance of a varied and balance diet. Their understanding should include the knowledge that variation is important because of the different substances that different foods provide. They should understand that people make choices about what do eat based on dietary requirement and religion and also be aware of the importance of being active and having good oral hygiene.
