Hospital da Luz Póvoa de Varzim and nutritionist Maria Zamith accepted the challenge proposed by Colégio do Forte, in Vila do Conde, and in the context of the World Food Day (on October 16), offered a special lesson to the children of preschool classes . Between drawing and playing, children aged from 3 to 6 learned a few fundamental concepts about healthy eating. In these ages, children learn playing. One of the games the children appreciated the most was that of guessing, blindfolded, different foods , touching or smelling them, to separate and place in their respective boxes. “Inadequate eating is one of the main and avoidable causes of chronic disease, loss of life quality, and premature mortality in Portugal”, as highlights the General-Directorate for Health (DGS), in its National Programme for the Promotion of Healthy Eating (PNPAS) – a document launched to mark the World Food Day and the strategy for the area of nutrition until 2030. If nothing is done, it is estimated that “in the next few years, inadequate eating may exceed tobacco in the ranking of the modifiable risk factors, conditioning the most the weight of disease at national level”. It is fundamental that schools and also parents work together with Nutrition professionals. They will be able to help them : with counselling regarding the school and family menu; with sharing information near the little ones; with the prevention of diseases associated with inadequate eating; with the assessment and advising on the nutritional needs and diet of children, youths and adults. The invitation for this session on the World Food Day came from Colégio do Forte, aware of the fact that it is from an early age that healthy eating habits are instilled. For Hospital da Luz Póvoa de Varzim, this was an opportunity to develop another initiative of support to the community and promotion of healthy life habits. Hospital da Luz Póvoa de Varzim and Colégio do Forte have in place a protocol establishing special conditions , more advantageous, in the access to healthcare services, including specialty consultations. The protocol involves the school collaborators, students and their parents. All those interested, can get detailed information near the school’s administrative services. The scheduling of a Nutrition Consultation can be made through MY LUZ (the Hospital da Luz App), by phone (252 690 900) or at hospitaldaluz.pt/povoa-de-varzim/en
