POLICY & PRACTICE: Briefing - A fresh way to encourage healthyeating

Is this the nanny state lecturing us about eating our greens again?

Some see this as a sensible attempt to codify the knowledge and skills young people should have by the age of 16.

And is that really necessary? For an informal educator, giving young people such information and skills gives them choices. For government officials it is also an important aspect of health policy. The UK population eats too much saturated fat, sugar and salt and not enough starchy foods, fruit and vegetables. A poor diet can lead to obesity, heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoporosis and cancer.

But isn't there shedloads of information coming out on all this? According to the Food Standards Agency, there's plenty of evidence that young people may have the knowledge about healthy eating, but they don't put it into practice. There's a class issue too - a research study showed C2DE young people as having less variety of food but greater independence and responsibility for their food choices.

Why target this age range? A good diet is crucial at this age - adolescents need larger amounts of proteins, vitamins and minerals per unit of energy consumed than either adults or younger children. They are also starting to move towards taking responsibility for their own budgeting and food consumption.

And what competencies are being suggested? There are four sections: Diet and Health; Consumer Awareness; Food Preparation and Handling Skills; and Food Hygiene and Safety. The 15 separate competencies under these headings range from awareness of seasonality for different foods to knowledge of how cooking methods can affect the nutritional and sensory qualities of ingredients. They represent a view of what young people should be able to do in order to lead a healthy life now and in the future. They also form a basis for young people to assess their abilities. Gaps in knowledge identified should point out what else is needed in the way of educational resources and initiatives.

It's not just for school curriculum is it? Not at all. This paper highlights a role for youth organisations and voluntary and community groups, as well as health and regeneration initiatives such as Sure Start and the Five-a-Day initiative. Earlier this year, the Food Standards Agency commissioned The National Youth Agency to carry out a scoping study of educational activity around food in informal settings. This report is currently with the agency and may target youth work practice.

And what's up for consultation? Are these competencies the right ones?

What's missing? What approaches can help young people transfer knowledge from a school setting to their own lives and what local action can be taken to fill gaps in education?

See Last word, p36

FACT BOX

- The Food Standards Agency is leading a cross-government study to identify what skills and knowledge 14- to 16-year-olds require to adopt a healthy, balanced diet

- Fifteen competencies have been identified that can be promoted though schools, youth work, health education and other initiatives

- A consultation paper, Getting to grips with grub, is on the agency's web site www.foodstandards.gov.uk - look in the section Industry and then under Consultations

- The consultation runs until Tuesday 21 October.