This booklet from the Ministry of Health and Health Promotion Agency gives advice for parents, whānau and caregivers on the types of food children need to eat to be healthy. It also describes how children can be active in everyday life.
Sleep tips for young children
Why is sleep important? How much sleep does my child need? How can I improve my child's sleep? These questions are answered in 'Sleep tips for young children' from the Ministry of Health.
Weight management in 2-5 year olds
Weight Management in 2–5 Year Olds is a practical Ministry of Health resource to equip health providers with the most up-to-date advice to monitor, assess and manage children who are overweight and obese.
Green Prescription Active Families
Is your child overweight or obese and inactive? Do you worry about their health? Consider joining Green Prescription (GRx) Active Families. It's free!
Food and Nutrition Guidelines for Healthy Children and Young People (Aged 2-18 years): A background paper (MOH)
Evidence-based technical information and best practice recommendations on nutrition and physical activity for health practitioners working in clinical and population health settings.
Healthy eating tips for 2-5 year olds
Weight is a sensitive issue, even for small children. It is important your child does not feel they are being punished. The best way to do this is for the whole family/whānau to eat the same meals. It’s easier to eat healthy meals and snacks if healthier foods are in your house. The Ministry of Health gives us some healthy eating tips for 2-5 year olds.
Healthy events and fundraisers
Good nutrition and healthy eating practices in childhood are important in shaping lifelong behaviours. We also know that nutritious, balanced food improves children’s learning and behaviour. This Community and Public Health Healthy Events and Fundraisers Guide is designed to help school and event organisers maintain a positive food and drink environment that gives consistent, accurate messages about food and drinks.
Physical activity for 5 - 18 year olds
Health Ed shows you how you can help your children achieve at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day for their health and well-being.
Healthy food in schools
Teaching and encouraging healthy eating is a compulsory part of the school curriculum. Schools can undermine these classroom messages by having unhealthy food in canteens or tuck shops, by giving children sweets as classroom rewards, or selling them as fundraisers. Parents Voice shows you what you can do if you are unhappy with the food available at your child’s school.
Treats and rewards for preschoolers and school aged children
When we give children treats or rewards, they are often food related, such as lollies, chocolate, ice cream or their favourite takeaway. If you want to control your child’s weight gain then it is better to provide non-food-related rewards. Encourage family and whānau to do the same as well. Canterbury District Health Board gives us some treats and reward ideas.
WHO Guidelines: Sugar intake for adults and children
This WHO guideline provides updated global, evidence-informed recommendations on the intake of free sugars to reduce the risk of NCDs in adults and children, with a particular focus on the prevention and control of unhealthy weight gain and dental caries.
Information on Obesity (MOH)
Obesity is defined as an excessively high amount of body fat (adipose tissue) in relation to lean body mass. The Ministry of Health provide information on obesity and discuss evidence that obese children and adults are at greater risk of short-term and long-term health consequences.