Support, resources and curricula goals for healthy eating

Concerns about weight

Obesity is on the increase and if a child is obese now they are more likely to become an obese adult, which could lead to illness and disease. If you know your own height and weight you can work out your Body Mass Index (BMI), which can give you an idea of where your weight puts you and whether you may be overweight. BMI is the scale used for the National Child Measurement Programme which takes place annually in schools.

Use the NHS BMI calculator

Obesity can result in diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers, and many other illnesses so it is always a good idea to get checked out by your doctor. You should also try your best to combine a balanced diet with regular exercise. Eating more fruit and vegetables along with slow-release carbohydrates such as wholemeal bread and potatoes will help you feel full whilst keeping calories down.

There is support available in Buckinghamshire for children and young people that are overweight or obese. 

1 in 3 children in Buckinghamshire is currently overweight or very overweight, and for these children and their families MEND (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition, Do it!) is a fun way to learn about becoming fit and healthy.

Be Healthy Bucks

Be Healthy Bucks provides a variety of personalised weight management services including bespoke services for children and families. Sign up now to find out more

Overweight young people can also experience emotional difficulties.  If you know a young person would benefit from speaking to someone either online, on the phone, or in person, let them know about the free Buckinghamshire counselling service.

Useful resources for young people

Check out our Public Health Pages for more information on Healthy Eating. Also, please visit our Dental Health Page

Further information and resources on healthy eating can be found on the Better Health website, NHS choices website where you can also find the easy Meals App, or Be Healthy Bucks webpage.

The Food a fact of life organisation provides free resources about healthy eating, cooking, food, and farming for children and young people aged 3 to 18 years.

Healthy eating is also important for healthy teeth. Two useful resources have been produced by the Bucks Oral Health Improvement Team to support early year units and special schools to develop a whole-school approach to good oral health.

Download the NHS Oral health guide for early years

Download the NHS Oral Health in Schools for pupils with Learning Disabilities and Special Educational Needs

Other useful information 

School food

Schools are ideally placed to provide children and young people with positive food experiences, from providing good quality nutritious foods, an engaging and stimulating lunchtime environment, and opportunities to learn and experience food through the curriculum. A good school food culture improves children’s health and academic performance¹.

Food comes in many different forms, a hot meal or cold meal provision, packed lunches, snacks, breakfast clubs, after-school clubs, tuck shops, and even access from outside especially in secondary schools that allow pupils off-site.  

Ultimately it is the governing body that is responsible for school food provision, and ensuring the food meets the statutory school food standards.

There are many resources available to assist schools to develop a positive school food culture. For further information please visit: schoolfoodplan.com

The importance of water

It’s important to drink plenty of water, especially when exercising. The body loses around 1.8 litres of water daily, so you should aim to drink 6-8 glasses a day.

Water makes up around 50-75% of your total body weight and not drinking enough can cause headaches, tiredness, and loss of concentration.  This can really affect young people in an educational setting.

Water, lower-fat milk, and lower-sugar or sugar-free drinks including tea and coffee all count. Fruit juice and smoothies also count towards your fluid consumption but they contain free sugars that can damage teeth, so limit these drinks to a combined total of 150ml per day.

It is advised that you drink around 1.8 litres of water a day, which can seem like a lot but spread over a whole day it is easy to achieve. A lot of schools encourage their pupils to carry a bottle of water around during the school day.   

PSHE and teaching about Health, Wellbeing, and Healthy Eating

Health Education is now statutory for years 1 – 11 and is a key part of PSHE. The link below provides an overview of strands from the PSHE Association which address healthy eating through the PSHE curriculum.

PSHE Association curriculum resources

PSHE lesson plans and activities

Curricula goals

By the end of primary school, pupils should know:

• What constitutes a healthy diet (including understanding calories and other nutritional content).
• The principles of planning and preparing a range of healthy meals.
• The characteristics of a poor diet and risks associated with unhealthy eating (including for example, obesity and tooth decay) and other behaviours (e.g. the impact of alcohol on diet or health).

By the end of secondary school, pupils should know:

• How to maintain healthy eating and the links between a poor diet and health risks, including tooth decay and cancer.