VETKOEK and bunny chows are still the daily diet for schoolchildren at most schools countrywide.
This despite the departments of health and education working together in an effort to provide healthy meals to pupils during school hours.
Seatile Primary School in Bekkersdal on the West Rand is one of the schools that are provided with meals by the department through its National School Nutrition Programme.
On some days during the week the menu includes fresh fruit and steamed vegetables.
There is a tuck shop on the school premises that sells vetkoek in the morning and bunny chow for lunch.
When the pupils have pocket money they opt for the vetkoek and bunny chow instead of the meals provided by the school.
The meals from the tuck shop, according to a wellness expert, are not good for the kids because they could stunt the growth of the children and make them obese.
Dr Craig Nossel, Discovery head of vitality wellness, says unhealthy eating and a lack of physical activity must be discouraged.
"If not addressed now the incidence of lifestyle diseases is likely to rise dramatically in the future," Nossel says.
Nossel says healthy lifestyle behaviour developed during childhood is the foundation for good adult health and quality of life.
"Parents ought to lead by example. It's important that parents are not hypocritical when trying to teach their kids about healthy eating when they don't lead the way," he says.
The importance of parents playing their role in educating their children about healthy lifestyles shows in the food they buy at school.
Health department spokesperson Bhungani Mzolo says the department encourages parents to reduce the time children spend watching television "and go for a walk with them instead".
Nossel insists families ought to sit at the dinner table when eating dinner instead of in front of the television because "people tend to eat a lot more when they are watching TV".
Mzolo says the department of health is to develop guidelines for healthy eating to assist consumers, including children, to make healthy choices.
In addition to what parents are encouraged to do, the department also develops promotional material such as puzzles and posters on healthy eating during their annual Nutrition Week in October.
"Children need 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous training a day," Nossel says. The secret to making children more active is by making the exercises fun.
Nossel says not enough is being done to ensure that pupils are getting enough physical education.
He insists that besides physical education, nutrition and daily exercises are key need to keep healthy.
Healthy eating is vital
VETKOEK and bunny chows are still the daily diet for schoolchildren at most schools countrywide.
This despite the departments of health and education working together in an effort to provide healthy meals to pupils during school hours.
Seatile Primary School in Bekkersdal on the West Rand is one of the schools that are provided with meals by the department through its National School Nutrition Programme.
On some days during the week the menu includes fresh fruit and steamed vegetables.
There is a tuck shop on the school premises that sells vetkoek in the morning and bunny chow for lunch.
When the pupils have pocket money they opt for the vetkoek and bunny chow instead of the meals provided by the school.
The meals from the tuck shop, according to a wellness expert, are not good for the kids because they could stunt the growth of the children and make them obese.
Dr Craig Nossel, Discovery head of vitality wellness, says unhealthy eating and a lack of physical activity must be discouraged.
"If not addressed now the incidence of lifestyle diseases is likely to rise dramatically in the future," Nossel says.
Nossel says healthy lifestyle behaviour developed during childhood is the foundation for good adult health and quality of life.
"Parents ought to lead by example. It's important that parents are not hypocritical when trying to teach their kids about healthy eating when they don't lead the way," he says.
The importance of parents playing their role in educating their children about healthy lifestyles shows in the food they buy at school.
Health department spokesperson Bhungani Mzolo says the department encourages parents to reduce the time children spend watching television "and go for a walk with them instead".
Nossel insists families ought to sit at the dinner table when eating dinner instead of in front of the television because "people tend to eat a lot more when they are watching TV".
Mzolo says the department of health is to develop guidelines for healthy eating to assist consumers, including children, to make healthy choices.
In addition to what parents are encouraged to do, the department also develops promotional material such as puzzles and posters on healthy eating during their annual Nutrition Week in October.
"Children need 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous training a day," Nossel says. The secret to making children more active is by making the exercises fun.
Nossel says not enough is being done to ensure that pupils are getting enough physical education.
He insists that besides physical education, nutrition and daily exercises are key need to keep healthy.
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