HEALTHY EATING FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN EUROPE A school-based nutrition education guide

Abstract

The guide intends to encourage the further development of nutrition education in European schools. It intends to do this by placing nutrition education within the idea of the health-promoting school and by providing a framework for nutrition education in the health-promoting school. The framework provides objectives for nutrition education for four age groups from 4 to 16 years old under seven topic headings. There are also objectives for the whole school and for work with families and the community. This guide also provides case studies from various countries outlining innovative and interesting ways of doing nutrition education. Ways of evaluating nutrition education in the health-promoting school are suggested and active methods recommended. In addition, supporting material is provided that describes what is happening in Europe in the school systems of various countries and in food and eating styles. The guide is divided into four sections: getting started, a description of and guidelines about young people eating and drinking in the European Union, a curriculum framework and putting this into practice. Getting started. This chapter sets the scene; it explains who the guide is for and what its aims are. It also gives an overview of the concept of the health-promoting school, the links between nutrition and health and the main concepts of nutrition education. Eating and drinking among young people in Europe. This includes an overview of the school systems of European countries in relation to providing nutrition education, catering in schools, school hours and other information. The curriculum framework. This is the heart of the guide. It comprises three parts: • the framework for the taught curriculum; • ideas for nutrition education in the whole school; and • ideas for the family and community links. The framework is provided in two formats – posters that can be put up on a wall and also as text within the guide. The framework is also explained in the text. Putting it into practice. This chapter suggests evaluation and teaching methods and also describes case studies from a variety of countries. Tips for national and local implementation are included. The annexes provide supporting material, including tables and posters that can be freely photocopied and distributed.