Health Space

Bodykind

The Butterfly Foundation promote the month of September as Bodykind month. Not sure what it means to be Body Kind? Being body kind is:

The language we use when speaking about our own body and others; in our heads, face to face and online.
How we move, nourish and nurture our body.
Treating our body with kindness and respect, regardless of how it looks or what it can or can’t do.

Top tips to support healthy eating attitudes and behaviours in teens

Trust the process – A teen’s body will signal when it needs to eat more to fuel growth. Consuming high energy foods is normal and necessary for adolescents.
Support autonomy - Encourage your teen to listen to and follow their hunger and fullness cues. With their growing independence try to accept that you may have less control over their food choices and eating habits.
Be food positive – Talk about food in a positive way with curiosity and appreciation. Avoid language which talks about food being good/bad or junk/healthy. All food has a place.
Be food flexible – Teens may not eat at designated mealtimes, so try to work to their appetite patterns. Snacking and grazing is OK.
Eat together - Family meals can take a lot of different forms. The important part is spending time together while eating.
Seek professional help - If worried about your teen’s growth and development visit your GP. Do not suggest or put your teenager on a diet.

Check out this link: PowerPoint Presentation (butterfly.org.au) for the full tips sheet on supporting healthy eating behaviours!

A FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION:

Why is eating as a family so important?

It can be hard to find the time to schedule eating together around so many other commitments as well as considering blended and non-traditional family dynamics. It’s not what is eaten or cooked that is the focus, but instead finding time, even if once a week to sit together to eat. It is a protective factor for many mental health issues.

Family meals give parents the opportunity to model healthy eating attitudes and behaviours, including food curiosity, food enjoyment, and eating to appetite cues as well as time together to discuss and share aspects of the day/week/month.

Check out the following link for more FAQ’s on the Body Kind Families page:

Body Kind Families FAQ - Butterfly Foundation

.....HEALTH POP UP

Our next Health Pop Up is being planned for Term 4. Details to come…

Kaye Walker (Health Promotion Nurse) + Prue Smith (Health Space Nurse)

Vic kids eat well

We’re part of the Vic Kids Eat Well movement so we can boost healthier food and drink options. #VicKidsEatWell @VicKidsEatWell

More details to come…

Health Promotion Nurse

The Health Promotion Nurse Kaye Walker (DET Secondary School Nurse) is available on Monday and Tuesday and located in the Wellbeing Centre.

The role is primarily health promotion focused and attached is an infographic to explain the role.

PLEASE NOTE: The health promotion nurse cannot undertake long term counselling around psychological, relationship or educational problems.

To make a referral please follow the wellbeing referral process.

Regards, Kaye

Dr’s in Secondary Schools have been seeing a number of students who have difficulty with their vision. As a result of this, they have seen an optometrist and have been supplied with glasses. Thanks to Hampton Park Optical Services for their willingness to help with appointments.
The school nurse continues to see students who have been found vaping on site. Health impacts of vaping are discussed and options for ongoing support offered. The following links offer up to date information and the widespread use of vapes amongst young people and efforts being made to control this.

Vaping: everything you need to know about e-cigarettes | VicHealth ; https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-11/one-in-four-teens-have-vaped-according-to-study/102839976?utm_source=abc_news_app&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_app&utm_content=other