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Should schools be responsible for teaching children about healthy eating?

Durwood McCaughan

Schools play a crucial role in shaping the minds and lives of children and it is indeed important that they educate the children about living and eating healthy. Children are at a tender age, and as their brains are constantly developing, it is a crucial period in their lives where they need to be taught right from wrong. Providing nutritional education can help them make informed decisions about their diet and health which can benefit them in the long run.

However, should schools solely be responsible for teaching children about healthy eating?

It is a valid question to ask as schools already have a full curriculum to cover in addition to educative lessons about nutrition. Perhaps it is a responsibility that should be shared between schools and parents. In many families, parents take on the role of being nutritionist and health teacher for their children and this could be argued as being just as important. Parents can give their children the right knowledge and information for healthy eating habits and then schools can reinforce it in the classroom setting. This could be further complemented by a supportive wider community such as health services, community nutrition programs, or nutritionists available for consultation.

Another question to ask is how we can ensure that the nutrition information provided by schools is factual and not influenced by the food industry? There is a plethora of conflicting nutrition information available from different sources which can leave both adults and children feeling confused and overwhelmed. Schools must ensure that the nutrition information provided is scientifically accurate and evidence-based without commercial bias. Additionally, the information provided should be easily understood by children of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds to have the greatest positive impact.

In conclusion, schools should take on the responsibility of educating children about healthy eating habits, but it isn't a responsibility that should solely fall on the school's shoulders. Providing nutrition education can be a shared responsibility between schools, parents, and the wider community. By doing so, children can develop healthy habits that they can carry with them into adulthood. However, it is essential to ensure accurate and non-biased nutrition information is provided to the children.