Health Promotion in Berkshire
Introduction
The influence of diet on health has been a subject of intense research, and our understanding of this subject grows almost daily. However, the fundamental principals have remained surprisingly constant over the years. Our national model of a healthy diet is represented by the Eatwell Plate, depicted below.
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This model categorises foods into five food groups: 1) fruits and vegetables 2) starchy foods 3) meat, fish and alternatives 4) milk and dairy 5) foods containing fat and foods containing sugar. It represents the proportion that each food group should contribute to the diet.
Diets high in saturated fat raise blood cholesterol and increase the risk of blood clots. The reduction of saturated fat through the choice of low fat foods, or modified fat diets is still the cornerstone of dietary advice to reduce the risk of heart disease.
The beneficial effects of a diet high in fruit and vegetables has been demonstrated repeatedly, and the current recommendation is to eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables every day. This not only helps to protect against heart disease, but also against cancer.
A recent survey of children's diets in Britain(1) revealed that most children are only eating half the recommended amount of fruit and vegetables. It is well established that eating patterns established in early life, influence later food choices. Therefore, ensuring that children in Berkshire understand the importance of these foods, and have access to them, has been a priority for dietary health promotion work this year.
1. J Gregory & S Lowe 2000. National Diet and Nutrition Survey: young people aged 4 to 18 Vol1 London Stationary Office