Eating at School--Making Healthy Choices.

Eating at School--Making Healthy Choices

Young I, Council of Europe Publishing, Strasbourg, 2005, 201 pages $35.00, ISBN 92-871-5574-7

The Australian media has publicised the alarming increase in childhood obesity and several state governments have organised childhood obesity summits, which have emphasised the influence of schools (including the canteen) in teaching children about healthy eating. Childhood obesity is increasing throughout the world, and this book, representing the collected papers from a forum organised by The Council of Europe and the World Health Organisation in Strasbourg in November 2003, shows the widespread nature of the problem and the continuing struggle to find solutions. The 143 participants from 27 countries included those involved in public health, food and nutrition, education, commercial food service, as well as parents and young people themselves, represented at this forum by the Young Minds group.

The papers presented in Eating at School define the problems of poor dietary habits in children and look at workable solutions. There is a strong undercurrent throughout the book, which is that collaborative efforts are more likely to produce successful outcomes. A brief discussion is recorded at the end of each of the four sections.

The areas covered are set out in the opening address from the forum chairman, Dr Bent Mikkelsen of The Nutrition Division of the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration. Four themes are developed: the need to focus on healthy eating in schools; the practical aspects of providing healthy food; the 'whole school' approach requiring integration of foods provided with classroom learning and physical activity; and the integrative roles of public health, the health system, private organisations and industry.

The opening address by Peter Baum, Head of the Division of Social Cohesion within the Council of Europe, emphasises the long-term health implications and cost to society if we ignore the increase in obesity in children. This is followed by a presentation by two members of Young Minds--both students from a high school in Scotland--sharing some valuable insight into their school's programmes to change attitudes towards healthy foods. The young people were critical of the enormous range of tempting snack foods, which so easily replace proper meals, and detail successes with their school breakfast club and changes to their school canteen.

Several of the papers that follow give information from various countries on issues such as fruit and vegetable consumption, teenage girls' desire for weight loss, low levels of physical activity and common barriers to change. This may provide useful data for those working in school health and nutrition programmes and give clues about successful programmes. A Norwegian 'fruit subscription program' to increase fruit and vegetable consumption among 12 year olds may be especially relevant. Evaluation at 38 participating schools found daily consumption increased by 0.4 portions of fruit a day. In 10 schools where fruit or vegetables were offered free, the increase was 0.7 portions a day but targeted instruction at school and home did not increase consumption.

Many conferences held around the world discuss children's eating habits, obesity and public health initiatives. Few people can attend them all and proceedings are not always available to those who were not present. This book seeks to remedy this by making these useful contributions available to others. A valuable appendix lists the email addresses of participants from each country, including those who presented poster papers (and the titles of these papers). Another appendix lists 64 websites mentioned in papers or discussions. These are a handy guide and include programmes relevant to childhood obesity, healthy eating for children and issues such as sustainability of healthy foods. Eating at School would make a good addition to the library of those working in this area.

Rosemary Stanton

Visiting Fellow, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales