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Danielle Ramia

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  1. All we can do is urge our governments to make decisions that are good for future generations. As intelligent individuals we have a responsibility to do that. As intelligent teachers we can educate children on healthy lifestyles, including healthy eating and exercise. Myself and another university student created a unit plan, titled ‘You are what you eat’ and I believe units like these should be taught within primary schools. Children are the future, so if we teach them, they can teacher others, even their parents. Also, if a child knows that chips are bad for them and will make them overweight, they may ask their parents not to put them in their lunch boxes anymore. Also, instead of showing obese people or talking about cancer with will most likely scare the children (scare tactics), implement a challenge for a week or two where the children eat healthy and exercise and write a journal each day about how they feel, if they have more energy, if they have lost weight, etc. This way, children will learn first hand, by eating healthy and exercising that they feel better, having more energy and are happier with themselves. I really like the strategy in Finland where the school kids are weighed annually and the results recorded in their end of year reports and if there's a problem the doctor is called in. Each child receives a free school lunch which must comprise one third of their calorie intake, and exercise plays a prominent part in the school day. Do you think schools could implement this program? Or does it depend on the government? I would like to introduce the importance of breakfast also. I found this article at http://www.daa.asn.au/common/news_events/csa.asp On 18 August, a national media release announced the launch of a new DAA Community Service Announcement (CSA) to educate children, parents and carers on the importance of eating breakfast. DAA believes the CSA will be widely supported for its effective promotion of an important nutrition message. The CSA is proudly supported by DAA gold partner, Kellogg Australia and television, print and radio versions have been developed. Research findings into breakfast Recent findings from The University of Sydney National Children’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Study, supported by a research grant from Kellogg Australia, found that one in four children go to school hungry. The study also found that amongst high school students, females were more likely to skip breakfast than males and those from lower socio-economic status (SES) backgrounds were less likely to eat a proper breakfast than those from higher SES backgrounds. Of major concern, are the study’s findings related to overweight and obesity in school students with: • Children who skip breakfast or drink only fluids being significantly heavier than children who eat breakfast. • Female children who skip breakfast being significantly heavier than female children who eat breakfast. • Male children who skip breakfast being significantly heavier than male children who eat breakfast. • One in four children who are overweight not eating a proper breakfast. • One in five primary school children who are overweight not eating a proper breakfast. • Two in five high school students who are overweight not eating a proper breakfast. • One in two female high school students who are overweight not eating a proper breakfast. • One in three children from low SES backgrounds who are overweight not eating a proper breakfast. The study involved 34 schools from all States and Territories of Australia. 29 public schools, one private school and four catholic schools from urban, rural and regional areas participated. A total of 4,819 students completed the questionnaire with 49.4% of participants being male and 50.6% being female. Students ranged from Years one through to 12 with 2,026 in primary school and 2,793 in secondary school. 1,185 students from disadvantaged schools (low SES) participated and 3,634 students from non-disadvantaged schools (middle/high SES) participated. Other scientific research from around the globe also shows that: • Eating breakfast can have a significant effect on learning with students more able to pay attention and retain information as well as being more interested in learning. • People who eat breakfast have more nutritious diets than people who skip breakfast with breakfast eaters tending to have lower intakes of fat and higher intakes of fibre, and many vitamins and minerals. • People who eat breakfast have better eating habits than people who skip breakfast as they are less likely to be ravenously hungry for snacks during the day. • Children who eat an inadequate breakfast are more likely to make poor food choices for the rest of the day and in the long-term, which may lead to an increased risk in obesity. • Students who are overweight are less likely to eat breakfast and participate in physical activity than non-overweight students. The importance of breakfast also need to be taught as it does have an effect on the children ability to learn and pay attention. Instead of Finland’s lunch program, I believe breakfast should be provided, because as they say, “breakfast is the most important meal of the day”. Information and stats from http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/2824987.stm They believe skipping the first meal of the day increases the chances of becoming obese, developing diabetes or even having a heart attack. The researchers believe that eating first thing in the morning may help to stabilise blood sugar levels, which regulate appetite and energy. They suggest people who eat breakfast are less likely to be hungry during the rest of the day and are, therefore, less likely to overeat. "Our results suggest that breakfast may really be the most important meal of the day," said Dr Periera. Danielle Ramia
  2. My name is Danielle Ramia. I am currently studying primary teaching at USQ. I am majoring in ICTs. I finish mid way through next year. I live in Toowoomba, Queensland.
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