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Did you know that in 2012 around 21% of New Zealander’s weekly food expenditure was spent on eating out and takeaways? Read more »
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Concern is growing in New Zealand that our salt intake is increasing and that this may be detrimental to our health, particularly for children. Read more »
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NZ children are getting fatter at a younger age That doesn't mean that we need to consider dieting our children or dragging our toddlers around the race track but we do need to look at some simple things we can do to get healthier together. Read more »
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Does your child still fit last year's school uniform?
It is surprising how much growth can occur over the school holidays
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Free foods", while bulky, are very low in energy and filling. So their cost in terms of calories is much lower than most other dietary components, hence the term "free". As these foods are also naturally fat free they make ideal snacks for anyone trying to control body weight Read more »
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The smaller lungs and lighter weight of young children increases their vulnerability to the harmful effects of second hand smoke Read more »
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Is your child able to prepare a simple meal? Can you? A British poll in 1994 of seven to 15 year-old children found 93% could play computer games, but only 38% could cook a potato in its jacket in the oven. Another 61% of children could programme a video to record, but only 54% could boil an egg. A survey last year found that little had changed.
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Birthday parties should be fun and the chance to celebrate a child’s special day with a minimum of work and cost for busy parents. If the party can be timed to fit around a normal meal time then “junk” foods can be kept to a minimum.
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The human body is hugely resilient, constantly strengthening muscles and remodeling bones and joints to take up new loads. However as we age and weight is gained and lost, metabolic changes can take place that alter this remodeling process and can set us on a path to failing mobility and independence. Read more »
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Overweight and obese women are a greater risk of developing complications endangering their own health during pregnancy and are also more likely to bare children who are overweight themselves Read more »
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Few children escape teething without some discomfort. Rosy flushed cheeks, a runny nose, irritable behavior, disturbed sleep and bowel function are all hallmarks of tooth eruption Read more »
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In 2011 New Zealanders consumed a total of 392million liters of carbonated drinks.
Outside of the drinking of milk and water there is real concern about the energy content of some of these beverages because of our rising incidence of diabetes and obesity.
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Picky eating, food aversions or fads can affect people of all ages and can be a major source of frustration for those trying to prepare meals. Read more »
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Easter can be a very difficult time for overweight children and their parents. The pressure begins in supermarkets and garages that begin stocking chocolate treats months before the holiday weekend starts. Much of this confectionary is displayed at the point of purchase and end of shopping aisles to increase the likelihood of impulse buys. Read more »
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Studies of toddlers aged 20 months to 6 years, that examined baby-led weaning versus traditional spoon feeding methods have found that feeding method can influence food preferences and health related outcomes in later life. Read more »
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Many secondary school athletes are training for more than 10hrs per week and are competing nationally or alongside adults in events such as The Speight’s Coast to Coast, La Grande Swim, Le Race etc. At a time when they are also growing, young athletes may need as much as 50% more protein than their more … Read more »
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Every parent wants their children to grow. But the height that they finally reach is dependent on factors such as growth hormone, genetics and nutrient availability. While we can’t change genetics after their arrival or growth hormones easily, nutrient availability can make the difference and is something parents can influence and need to be more … Read more »
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Protect your family, particularly over summer months, from food borne illnesses by teaching your children simple rules of food safety. Every year a large number of children suffer food poisoning in New Zealand caused by contaminated food. These cases can be very severe particularly in young children and the elderly who may suffer from dehydration … Read more »
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Scientific evidence suggests that environmental factors acting early in life may affect blood pressure in adult life. A study in Britain in 2004 supported earlier studies on infant nutrition and blood pressure that show a small reduction in systolic blood pressure in children breast-fed compared to those who were bottle-fed. Other advantages of breastfeeding: Breast … Read more »
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If improving your fertility is on your mind right now then take a moment to review your current lifestyle. Are you getting plenty of exercise e.g. 4-5 hours per week? Are you at a healthy body weight? How much alcohol do you drink? If you smoke can you stop? Infertility affects many couples and common … Read more »
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Public awareness of sugars within our diet has slowly increased in recent years. Whilst fat has borne the majority of blame for its implication in development of excess body weight, sugar has escaped relatively lightly. Low fat foods have resulted in increased contribution of sugar to ensure suitable taste and mouth feel for consumers. Total … Read more »
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As children reach adolescence it can become more difficult for parents to monitor and control their food intake. At a time when they most need optimal nutrition to promote physical growth and development they often develop a range of likes and dislikes greater than when they were a toddler. Parents can be forgiven for feeling … Read more »
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Research shows that while two parent families outnumber single parent families by 2:1 there are still around 300,000 parents in NZ raising their children alone. Fathers are playing a greater role in their children’s feeding and also children maybe minded by other extended family members through out the day. To ensure that the child receives … Read more »
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If you are a parent wanting to provide a vegetarian diet for your child then you need to take particular care to ensure that your child has an adequate intake of the following nutrients: Protein for growth Eggs, cheese and beans are good sources. Energy to fund growth and activity These can be low because … Read more »
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Many environmental factors are known to trigger an allergic reaction. For instance pollens (particularly during spring), strong odours, animal fur, dust mites and even the food we eat. What is a food allergy? An allergy is the abnormal response of our immune system to certain food that in other individuals is harmless. The reaction observed … Read more »
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Eating breakfast would have to be the most important start to your child’s day. Literature suggests that children that consistently eat breakfast have a much better nutritional adequacy, less nutrient deficiencies and have improved school performance, both physically and mentally. Unfortunately the National Children’s Nutritional Survey (2002) revealed that 12.9% of boys and 19% of … Read more »
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Children, like most of us initially, are afraid of things that they can’t understand or control, and strange or new situations Read more »
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Safety If your pregnancy is uncomplicated then daily, regular exercise is safe and may benefit your health in the following ways: It helps to relieve aches and pains Reduces constipation Strengthens your joints and muscles Reduces anxiety and stress Helps you to sleep better Overall it can make you feel more confident about the way … Read more »
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Recent media hype regarding a new study linking parental nutritional intakes to genetic changes in the unborn baby has seemingly caused some confusion amongst the general public about what is a sensible approach to good nutrition during pregnancy and the key issues this study raises. The University of Southampton study; which was a small study … Read more »
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What we eat and when we eat has a profound affect on the speed at which we make decisions, learn and remember things Read more »
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All healthy women without any contraindications should participate in moderate intensity aerobic and strength conditioning exercises as part of a healthy lifestyle during their pregnancy. This is to ensure a good fitness level is achieved and/or maintained throughout pregnancy which assists physiological reserves of both mother and baby without affecting growth. Additional pelvic floor exercises … Read more »
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The human brain functions rather like a computer and the age at which a child is exposed to alcohol affects the ‘hardware’ (structure and size) and ‘software’ (processing ability) of this vital organ. When a pregnant woman drinks during the early first trimester of her pregnancy infant growth is affected and there is an increased … Read more »
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Listeriosis is a food bourne infection resulting from the consumption of contaminated food. Certain groups of the population are considered to be of greater risk of listeriosis. Pregnant women & their unborn baby Those who are unwell and/or have compromised immune function e.g. long term illnesses Food safety can reduce the risk of developing serious … Read more »
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As adults we have the right to decide if we would like to drink alcohol and how much we feel is an acceptable amount. Developing foetuses have to rely upon their mother’s decision making and as a result can be involuntarily exposed to alcohol in the womb. Foetal Alcohol Syndrome affects 1-3% infants per 1000 … Read more »
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There is a school of thought that children gain independence if they are encouraged to make their own lunches, after school snacks and simple meals. While this is good in theory there are times of stress when it simply may not be appropriate. For instance if your child is: Sick Pressured by extra homework Striving … Read more »
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Adolescence is a time of rapid growth and development. Feeding patterns change and often family mealtimes are interrupted by sporting events or after school work commitments. They also want to spend more time with their friends eating away from home or on the run. This can stretch the family budget if children want more pocket … Read more »
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While lunches can be a hassle to make they benefit a child’s growth, weight, concentration, mood, behaviour and learning ability. Here are a few things to consider when planning lunches. Quantities - are dependent on your child’s age, appetite and commitments after school. If a child has a job, sport or drama practice that prevents … Read more »
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Much has been written about the reasons for childhood obesity. Research has shown us that: When children watch TV and eat at the same time, then their intake of fruit and vegetables declines and their choice of high fat snack foods increases. When children stop watching TV they exercise more. Not because they embark on … Read more »
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Fish Safety During Pregnancy Many women avoid eating fish during pregnancy because they are concerned that they may contract Listeriosis which can cause miscarriage and still birth. As Listeria will grow on refrigerated food careful food handling is necessary.The Minister of Health recommends that pregnant women avoid smoked and raw seafood but cooking fresh fish … Read more »
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School holidays can really tax the energy of parents and children and can also be a time of rapid weight change. For underweight children it is easy to sleep in and miss meals and snacks important for growth. With overweight children (and parents) there’s greater opportunity to graze or eat extra snacks at home or … Read more »
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Oral health and nutrition have a very synergistic relationship; if we impair our functional ability to eat, we in turn also affect our diet and nutritional status. When investigating dental health risk factors, children form one group of those considered to be at highest risk of developing oral health problems. Adequate nutrition is essential both … Read more »
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Isn’t school great? It encourages social interaction and the development of important relationships, young minds are challenged and educational ideals are developed. Yet ask any child what they are most looking forward to at this time of year and I can guarantee the majority will answer “School Holidays”. For many parents this becomes a time … Read more »
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While for many families it may be seen as a good way to unwind, relax and fill in time, particularly on wet days, research is finding that television and video viewing could be harmful to our children. There is now scientific evidence that too much television is affecting our health in some of the following … Read more »
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Unleash the Jamie Oliver in your child these school holidays and teach your children to cook. Start with a hearty breakfast No matter what time they get up encourage them to eat a hearty breakfast. Even very young children can learn to make porridge in the microwave following directions on the packet. If you don’t … Read more »
