Northern Investing for Health Partnership

School Dietitian supports schools, within the Northern area, to tackle obesity and encourage children to make healthier choices throughout the new school year.

Improving children’s health and well-being is a top priority for the Public Health Agency.  In Northern Ireland obesity levels amongst children are on the increase, with almost a quarter of all children that start primary school being classed as overweight or obese. It is now known that a balanced diet in childhood can not only support child development and growth but can also help protect against chronic diseases in later life – this is the focus of the work for an innovative School Dietitian post based within the Northern area.

A locally based School Dietitian post is being trialed to support local schools with the development of whole school approaches to tackle obesity in children and young people. This unique initiative, developed through the Northern Investing for Health Partnership, is co-ordinated by the North Eastern Education and Library Board (NEELB) in partnership with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust. This work will support changes to the food provided in schools and the standards recently introduced by the Department of Education delivered by the school catering service.  A great deal of work has been undertaken by staff to develop and implement the standards, using creativity to provide a wide range of healthier options for pupils. 

This new development strengthens an integrated approach to healthier eating.  Speaking about the initiative Hilary Johnston, Investing for Health Manager, with the Public Health Agency said: “The School Dietitian post will assist local schools, in the Northern area, with the introduction of school food and activity policies that will ultimately sustain positive changes for health and well being. Through the provision of information and training sessions on nutrition and food matters within a school setting we aim to equip the children to make informed choices in relation to food that will have a positive impact on their current and future health.”

Since November 2007, Kerry Parkhill, a Dietitian seconded from the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, has been working to support local primary, post primary and special schools to promote the benefits of a healthy lifestyle to school children. The post focuses on pupil education, including interactive sessions educating children on how to making healthy food choices; parental advice, on nutrition related issues such as health breaks and lunch boxes; and support for teaching and catering staff within the school setting offering healthy eating advice.

Speaking about the post, Jill Curry Dietetic Services Manager with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust commented: “This innovative school focused post raises awareness of the link between diet and health to pupils, parents, carers, teachers and catering staff. Additionally, local schools have benefited from practical nutritional advice with an emphasis on meeting the nutritional requirements for children’s adequate growth and development together with the prevention of disease, especially coronary heart disease and cancer.”

 To date approximately 100 schools have been supported by the School Dietitian, commenting on the impact of the post, within the school, Mr Hill from Antrim Primary School said: “This unique post has stimulated healthy discussion and debate within the school in relation to the importance of a well balanced diet. With Kerry’s support the school has been able to focus on the introduction of effective school food and activity policies which will undoubtedly benefit both the immediate and long term health of the children.”

The key to a healthy packed lunch is getting the balance right and choosing a wide variety of foods, which will help provide all the nutrients and energy a growing child needs. As Kerry Parkhill, the School Dietitian within the Northern area suggests: “With a little thought and imagination you can make interesting and healthy lunch boxes for your child as they commence the new school year. Just include something from each of the four main food groups - starchy foods (bread, pasta or rice); protein (egg, cheese, meat or fish); and fruit and vegetables and dairy foods (milk, cheese & yoghurts). Add a healthy drink, such as milk or water, and away you go!”

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