HELPING PARENTS TO MAKE HEALTHY CHOICES

Friday, 13 January 2012 14:32

Media Releases - Kevin Anderson Media Release

9 January 2011

HELPING PARENTS TO MAKE HEALTHY CHOICES

Member for Tamworth, Kevin Anderson MP and Minister for Healthy Lifestyles Kevin Humphries today encouraged parents to use a practical, user friendly website during the school holidays that provides healthy food and activity options for children and families.

The Healthy Kids website www.healthykids.nsw.gov.au will assist parents and carers with healthy options for children over the school holiday period.

“Over the summer holiday period Healthy Kids is a valuable resource for mums and dads wanting to plan active, creative and fun activities for their kids,” Mr Anderson said.

“I know that it can be difficult to keep kids on a healthy track. This is a great way to promote healthy eating and drinking suggestions whilst on a break from school.”

The Healthy Kids website has five key messages for the prevention of childhood overweight and obesity, including:

1. Get active each day
2. Choose water as a drink
3. Eat more fruit and vegetables
4. Eat fewer snacks and select healthier alternatives
5. Turn off the TV or computer and get active

Minister for Healthy Lifestyles Kevin Humphries announced the Healthy Kids website as part of a $53 million program to tackle childhood obesity and a one-stop destination for all NSW Government initiatives relating to nutrition and physical activity advice for children and young people.

“The new Healthy Kids website supports the NSW Government’s commitment to reduce childhood overweight and obesity,” Mr Humphries said.

“The site is easy to use and contains recipes, ideas for physical activity and practical ways to improve nutrition, as well as specific factsheets for families and children.”

The website is a joint initiative of the NSW Ministry of Health, Education and Communities, and Sport and Recreation, as well as the NSW Division of the National Heart Foundation.

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