Child Nutritionists Kendal

By  Supernanny Team 17/10/2007

The Government has been warned that it must take action to halt the rise in obesity. But the caution came as it was revealed that targets to reduce childhood obesity levels have been pushed back another decade, to 2020.

The largest ever UK report into obesity reveals that excess weight has become normal in what it calls our “obesogenic” society. The Foresight Programme, which drew up the report, added that action was desperately needed to stop the majority of the population from becoming obese - and so living seriously shorter lives - by 2050.

“There is a danger that the moment to act radically and dramatically will be missed,” said Sir David King, head of the Foresight Programme. “It is a problem that is getting worse every year.”

The report gave graphic illustrations of the obesity problem, including the cost of treating it. Being obese, it said, can be considered “a disease in its own right”. It can also cause chronic ill health, including heart problems, diabetes and strokes, and has been linked to an increased risk of some cancers. However, if current trends continue, then by 2050, around 60 percent of men, 50 percent of women and 25 percent of children will be clinically obese. Currently around 23 percent of adults are obese.

The report demanded action from all sections of society, but said that individuals couldn’t be blamed for the obesity problem. Instead, it said that the problem was inevitable in our modern society – where cheap, energy-rich foods and labour saving devices are common, and where we’re more likely to drive than walk.

“We live in a consumer society that encourages us to eat,” said Professor King.

We have a sedentary lifestyle. It’s an environment which means that if we just behave normally, we will become obese. We may only put on a bit of weight a day, but there are 365 days in the year.

The report comes just after the Government dropped its target to halve the rise in childhood obesity by 2010. That target has been replaced by a new one – to reduce the proportion of children who are obese or overweight by 30 percent by 2020.

Public health minister, Dawn Primarolo, said that much had been done – including healthier school lunches and clearer food labelling - to reduce childhood obesity, but admitted that the Government needed to go “further and faster.” Meanwhile the Foresight report flagged up concerns about children playing less team and school sports.

But while the report is shocking – and a real call to arms. It does include suggestions about how we can help. Breastfeeding is one recommendation, as are targeting those who are at most risk, and encouraging more exercise.

Supernanny’s expert nutritionist, Yvonne Wake said parents should “be afraid” by the report, and that obesity was everyone’s responsibility.

“People don’t even need to get up and go anymore,” she said. “Obesity is a huge crisis.”

Yvonne's tips:

- There still are some things which parents can ...

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Food & Nutrition

So what does constitute a healthy diet and healthy cooking? This part of the Supernanny site is where you’ll find everything you need to know about providing good stuff for kids to eat… and how to help them enjoy it!

• 0-4 years
• 4 - 13 years
• Teenagers
• Recipes
• Eating out with children

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Liven up that Lunchbox

Cheese sandwiches for lunch…again? Let Supernanny.com’s fresh ideas give you nutritious, healthy packed lunch options for choosy customers!

Yvonne Wake (Supernanny Expert) 17 May 2007 5/5 stars (rated 4 times)

Protect Your Child From Obesity

Around 2.4 million British children are overweight or obese. How can you avoid dangerous food habits and stop your child from becoming another statistic?

Yvonne Wake (Supernanny Expert) 23 April 2007 5/5 stars (rated 3 times)

Healthy fats - the benefits of Omega 3

There's so much competing information available regarding nutrition, a parent’s quest to keep healthy food on the table can be confusing – especially when it comes to cutting through the fat … on fats.

Supernanny Team 10 April 2007 (Not rated)

Easter baking - fabulous fairy Cakes

Kids in the kitchen is always great fun, especially when you’re making seasonal treats like these!

Supernanny Team 03 April 2007 5/5 stars (rated 4 times)

Easter biscuits- make your own bunnies!

Get your children hopping with excitement with these cute and simple Easter Bunny Cookies!

Supernanny Team 03 April 2007 5/5 stars (rated 5 times)

Hidden Nasties - food facts you need to know

We all want to feed our kids the best, but how can you really know what's in the food we eat? Supernanny's Nutritionist Yvonne Wake blasts the myths about salt, sugar and fat.

Yvonne Wake (Supernanny Expert) 06 March 2007 5/5 stars (rated 4 times)

Supernanny Guide to Healthy Eating

If it feels like your child is eating all the wrong foods - or not eating at all - these Supernanny tips could help.

Supernanny Team 19 February 2007 5/5 stars (rated 5 times)

The Truth About Salt

The average four-year-old eats three times more salt than he needs. So how much is too much? And how do you choose the right foods to keep your children healthy?

Supernanny Team 05 February 2007 5/5 stars (rated 2 times)

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By  Yvonne Wake Supernanny Expert 11/03/2008

If your child has a packed lunch at school and you want to make up a healthy lunchbox, here are my tips. You should also consider my list of snacks .

Here is one week's worth of healthy lunch box ideas:

Lunchbox one:

• brown pita bread with smooth peanut butter
• small container of trail mix (see above snacks)
• cut up fruit – apple, pear, and orange
• fresh apple juice
• healthy yoghurt

Lunchbox two:

• bagel with soft cheese and cucumber
• small container with cherry tomatoes and strips of carrot
• cooked apple puree – home made – very easy to make (see recipe)
• handful of raisins and dried apricots – in a small plastic bag
• fresh orange juice

• Cooked apple puree: place a large granny smith apple into a steamer and leave for ten minutes on a medium to high burner. Remove it and cut in half. Scoop out the soft apple and leave until cool. Add a tiny spoonful of honey and place in a container for the lunchbox. This is just enough for a child’s portion.

Lunchbox three:

• wholemeal bread sandwich with cheddar cheese, cucumber and tomato
• cut up strips of carrot and red peppers
• fruit smoothie (bought version)
• small container of strawberries
• fresh apple juice

Lunchbox four:

• wholemeal pita bread with salad (lettuce, cucumber, tomato) and tuna fish
• a banana
• small bunch of grapes
• healthy yoghurt
• fresh juice

Lunchbox five:

• small container with brown rice, add cut up cubes of tomato, cut up cubes of cucumber, cut up fish from the night before (i.e. salmon, tuna, cod), add some sweet corn and some peas (from frozen)
• Cut up avocado pear with some celery sticks
• Fresh berry fruit salad – not too large, just a taste of all the different berries.
• Fresh juice.

Some tips on lunchboxes:

• Make sure the lunch box contains a freezer pack (for yoghurts, tuna, cheese etc)
• Buy small plastic bags and containers as children like to open them and be surprised!
• Change lunch box contents every day. Children like the variety, and like to be surprised!
• Presume that water is on offer at school (it should be) and put a fresh juice into the lunch box
• Use up food from the night before, i.e. stir-fry vegetables, fish, and rice, as it won't be possible to prepare this in the morning before school.
• Wholegrain bread/pita/rice are a more nutritious option than refined grains (I explain this further in my article on bread ).

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