"It's all about You... Food, Fitness and Youth''. That's theme of this year's Nutrition Week.

From Monday April 28 to Saturday May 3 several activities will be in place to educate parents on how to make healthy decisions and encourage children to live active lives.

"The objective around Nutrition Week is to increase health awareness of young people with emphasis on the importance of starting each day with a healthy breakfast and increasing physical activity,'' president of the Bermuda Dietetic Association Sara Bosch de Noya said.

She added: "The campaign is also aimed at adults, parents and caregivers encouraging them to be good role models to children in terms of health behaviour.

"Information will be given to all primary schools and first year secondary students in the form of handouts to be distributed during Nutrition Week.

"The handouts for schools have been selected from the American Dietetic Association's Child Nutrition and Health campaign. The campaign is sponsored and promoted in Bermuda by the Bermuda Dietetic Association and Bermuda General Agency.'' Ms Bosch de Noya said every year the aim of Nutrition Week is to increase public awareness of nutritional issues.

"We have a different theme every year, we target different groups or we do quick easy meals or breakfast. This year our aim is towards the youth and children. This is a trifold campaign discussing food, fitness, and you. We want parents and children to realise the importance of breakfast, and being physically active.

"We want to educate parents on their role as a role model and teach them to make good healthy decisions. There are also examples of exercise.'' Ms Bosch de Noya also said the week was to promote local registered dietitians as being the best source of nutritional information in the community.

"Nutrition Week is not about what dietitians do -- it is about increasing awareness.'' According to the Association breakfast should be eaten everyday.

"Like throwing a log on a dying fire, breakfast stokes the brain after a long night without fuel. After a long night's fast, youngsters need breakfast to stay alert and do well in school throughout the day.

"Breakfast is an important first step toward meeting the recommendation of the Food Guide Pyramid.'' A healthy diet for children "Typical breakfast foods like ready-to-eat cereal, fruit, juice, dairy products and breads are excellent sources of low fat calories, carbohydrates and protein.

"Breakfast skippers have a hard time getting sufficient fibre and adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals. Experts recommend that children older than the age of two consume fibre totaling their "age plus five'' grams each day.

"That means a five year-old needs 10 grams of fibre daily'' The Association also gives these suggestions for "quick picks'' for breakfasts: High-fibre special -- whole grain or wheat bran cereal with strawberries, fruit-filled breakfast bars and fresh orange and apple wedge, bagel or English muffin with your child's favourite spread -- jam, jelly, peanut butter, cream cheese etc., leftover pizza from the previous night, grill cheese sandwich on whole grain toast, toaster waffle topped with sliced bananas and maple syrup.

"Busy parents or caregivers who are looking for ways to regain control of their family life can claim breakfast as a time to be together with their children.

"Breakfast is a great time for families to plan schedules, share words of advice or discuss an upcoming athletic event.'' Children who are physically active and engage in active play have more stamina and energy and exhibit better motor coordination, strength, dexterity, balance and flexibility than those who are not active.

Also according to the association "an active lifestyle helps prevent obesity and may build defences against certain diseases. Fitness encourages a feeling of competence and control that will help children be happy and healthy.

"To boost children's activity the association suggests that parents limit television, video and computer time. Hold birthday parties in a roller rink, miniature golf course or bowling alley. Give children rewards and gifts that encourage play.'' Nutrition Week Activities Monday, April 28: "Inside Bermuda with Shirley Dill'' appearance/interview with Government nutritionist Betsy Baillie, president of the Bermuda Dietetic Association Sara Bosch de Noya, and paediatrician Dr. June Hill.

Tuesday, April 29: Nutrition interviews with local registered dietitians on David Lopes morning show and Keevil Burgess morning show.

Wednesday, April 30: Harbour Nights. Come out to the Nutrition information booth. Local registered dietitians will be available to give recipes, handouts and answers nutrition questions. There will be a quiz for both adults and children. The Continental Society will provide free muffins and a colouring competition for children. Prize to be awarded to the winner of Bermuda Dietetic Association logo competition.

Saturday, May 3: Bermuda Dietetic Association will man a snack stall for the End to End Walk.

NUTRITION LOGO -- In celebration of Nutrition Week -- April 28 to May 3 -- students entered a contest to see who could come up with the best logo for T-shirts dietitians will be wearing during the week. This year the theme is "It's All about You... Food, Fitness, and Youth''. Pictured from left is winner Keith Edmunds of Saltus, president of the Bermuda Dietetic Association Ms Sara Bosch De Noya, and runner-up Alexander Kirkland of Saltus.