Health Matters WBOP December 2016 | Page 3

Fruit in Schools reaches record number of kids Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says this year’s expansion of the successful Fruit in Schools initiative to a record 547 schools including many in the Bay of Plenty has had a positive impact. Zealand is one of the first OECD countries to have a target and a comprehensive plan to tackle childhood obesity.” “Children need to eat well in order to optimise their learning and that’s why Fruit in Schools is so beneficial to students,” says Dr Coleman. As a result, a total of 547 schools including 46 in the Bay of Plenty have benefitted in 2016, covering around 103,000 students and around 12,000 staff. “Staff at the school also take part to help encourage students to try new things and influence their healthy eating decisions. “Fruit in Schools complements the Childhood Obesity Plan. New for the summer break, more than 20 million servings will have been dished up. Following the Ministry of Education’s decile funding changes, all existing schools have remained in the Fruit in Schools programme, with an additional 77 others eligible to participate. Schools receive high quality seasonal fruit and vegetables, and they sample up to 24 different types of fruit or vegetable during the year. By the time schools break up Acting Principal of Maketu School Regan Williams says, “Fruit in Schools is really beneficial. We have the fruit out at interval and lunchtimes and the teachers take it into their classes each morning. We also use the fruit for language experience activities where the students make smoothies etc. and then write and talk about their learning experiences.” The Government invests $7.8 million into the Fruit in Schools programme each year. This is being supported by the extra $568 million going into Health for 2016/17 – taking the total Health spend to a record $16.1 billion. This holiday season make every sleep for baby a safe sleep As the holiday season approaches, families are more likely to be on the move. It is important that babies always have a safe place to sleep. Relying on a makeshift bed while on holiday poses risk of suffocation for babies in their first year of life. Planning ahead to always have a safe sleep environment for your baby will reduce risk. travel in a safety approved carseat that is correctly fitted in the vehicle. Covered carseats, or prams or strollers where babies lie to sleep can heat up quickly when out in the sun. For babies, this can cause overheating, reduced airflow and make it difficult for them to breathe. To keep babies safe during sleep, always follow these simple rules: Safe Hands  PLACE baby in his or her own bed, face clear of loose bedding and NO pillows, hats, bibs and soft toys.  ELIMINATE exposure to smoking, alcohol and drug use, and have a smokefree family, home and car.  POSITION baby flat and on the back as their drive to breathe works best in this position.  ENCOURAGE and support mum to breastfeed to help protect baby. Cool to Move Holidays are spent outdoors and travelling to and from our favourite places. Always check that babies Crestin Jessup watches over her newborn Nation who is all set for a safe sleep. To protect babies from the sun, cover them, not the carseat, pram or stroller. Use light, cotton clothing and a light wrap, and keep them in a cool and shaded area on hot days. Water, sand and concrete can reflect UV light that causes sunburn, so avoid placing prams and strollers near these areas. Holiday season is ‘party season’ as friends and families celebrate and have fun together. It is important those with babies always have a safe, sober caregiver or babysitter with ‘Safe Hands.’ Safe Hands will: Make every sleep for baby a safe sleep this holiday season  Handle babies gently.  Always place babies flat and on their back for sleep.  Never expose babies to smoking, alcohol or drugs.  Do safety checks of babies beds and remove pillows, loose wraps and soft toys.  Stay close and respond to babies needs for food, comfort and safety. PlunketLine Freephone 24/7 0800 933 922 Produced by Raewyn Lucas, Karen Palmer and Natasha Rawiri, BOPDHB