Food
JAM | May 27, 2022

Education Ministry outlines objectives of National School Nutrition Policy

Ategie Edwards

Ategie Edwards / Our Today

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Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher Tufton making his contribution to the 2022-2023 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on May 3. (Photo: JIS)

With a goal of promoting and facilitating healthy eating habits and a physically active lifestyle among students in Jamaica, the Ministry of Education and Youth, with its release of the National School Nutrition Policy, has outlined several objectives it expects to achieve as it tackles the alarming levels of obesity among the nation’s youth.

The policy focuses on five key areas – The Food Services Environment and Education; Provision of Meals to meet Nutrition Standards; The Physical Activity Environment; Health Promotion and Lifestyle Habits Development; Curriculum Development – in keeping with Sustainable Development Goals 2030.

The National School Nutrition Policy, alluded to by Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton, as he made his contribution to the 2022-2023 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives earlier this month, is a joint effort with the Education Ministry.

The policy will be promoted in schools, particularity among students age 3-17, and is aimed at providing a ready environment for reaching large groups of children and the school community.

(Photo: UNICEF)

Standards and Guidelines

The Education Ministry expects that, with the policy’s introduction, a sense of standardisation and normalcy with students’ nutritional habits will develop. This in turn will aid their physical and cognitive growth and development.

Optimise Nutritional Status

Physical, social and mental well-being is expected to improve and be sustained through a more effective nutritional status.

Provide Options

Under this national policy, a variety of healthy food options will be made available. Students will have the option to choose from all six food groups – staples, legumes, fruits, food from animals, vegetables and fats and oils.

Dietary Choices Increase

It is the ministry’s hope that, with this national response, by the year 2030, 85 per cent of institutions will be able to provide dietary choices to complement meals in order to meet the nutritional needs of students.

Mandatory Physical Activity Opportunities Increase

Within the next three years, the number of schools which provide mandatory opportunities for physical activity to students at all grade levels is expected to increase by 85 per cent.

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