How to curb unhealthy eating habits among students

Picture used for illustrative purposes alone

Good nourishment is important in any stage of our lives. Food fuels our bodies and all its functions. Nutrition is especially crucial during childhood and adolescence. A child's physical growth and brain development are directly related to their nutrient intake. Deficiencies in macronutrients (carbs, fat, protein) can stunt growth. Deficiencies during childhood lead to adult issues too. In fact, there's a clear link between kid's behavioural issues (hyperactivity) and learning disabilities (ADD) to insufficient intake of certain vitamins and minerals!
Don't Miss: Essa Al Ansari: From obese boy to champion of healthy eating
Kids spend most of their waking hours at school, and helping them appreciate healthy foods early on helps them develop taste buds for nutritious foods.
Nutritional standards in school canteens are a key part of ensuring our children are getting the nourishment they need for better learning ability and improved behaviour. Schools must look at what's being served in their cafeterias and really assess the nutritional content of the food. Is it mostly pizzas, burgers, fries, soda, sugar-laden fruit juices and the like? We call these empty calories that have little or no nutritional benefit for the body.
Interesting: How school canteens are fighting child obesity
Studies from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have shown that students with unhealthy diets are more likely to fail classes than their peers who eat healthier. And in the US, kids that participated in school breakfast programmes had increased grades and standardised test scores, reduced absenteeism and improved memory and cognitive performance.
Shocking: Youngsters shifting to cruder forms of tobacco in UAE
Offering healthy options in the canteen that include plenty of vegetables, clean protein and whole grains helps avoid childhood obesity, diabetes, nutritional deficiencies, dental cavities and other long term lifestyle diseases.
Be warned: Smoking affects teens more than adults, say health experts
However, making a school a healthy space goes beyond just the canteen guidelines. Schools and parents need to work together to educate themselves and the students about the basics of nutrition. We must engage students from three fronts: Classroom education, nutritious meals in the canteen and the reinforcement of healthy habits at home.
Schools can start small by appointing a group of "wellness champions" that comprises of students, teachers and parents to spearhead health-related campaigns. Educate and empower the students and teachers on how to read nutrition labels and understand ingredients. Starting a simple organic garden is also a powerful way to engage students and help them see where their food comes from.