Going the Healthy Route at School Framework Policy on Healthy Eating and Active Living

1. Going the Healthy Route at SchoolFramework Policy on Healthy Eating and Active Living Ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport  With the close collaboration of the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux and the Ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation du Québec September 2007

2. PURPOSE OF THE MEETING To present the content of the Framework Policy on Healthy Eating and Active Living To discuss its implementation

3. AGENDA Welcome • Part 1: Presentation of the Framework Policy (1h, 25 min) • Introduction • Current situation • Government action plan • Framework Policy • Objectives and audience • Orientations • Pamphlets • Question period • Break (15 minutes)

4. AGENDA (cont.) • Part 2:Implementation of the Framework Policy (1h, 45 min) • Presentation of the DVD • One way of proceeding • Healthy Schools approach • Implementation • Financing • Priorities and schedule • Follow-up • Roles and support • Question period • End of the meeting

5. Part 1 Presentation of the Framework Policy

6. SOCIAL CONSENSUS Social consensus in Québec • The development, health and educational success of young people constitute key challenges. • Healthy eating and physical activity are essential to young people’s development. • Healthy eating has a positive effect on young people’s growth and their feeling of well-being, just as it prepares them to learn better. Part 1: Presentation of the Framework Policy

7. SOCIAL CONSENSUS (cont.) • - Regular physical activityfosters concentration, a factor associated with educational success. • The improvement of young people’s health and well-being is a factor favourable to increased chances of success. • Healthy eating and physical activitymust be a real concern for the school system. Part 1: Presentation of the Framework Policy

8. SOCIAL CONSENSUS (cont.) School environment • Many health organizations (the WHO, the American Heart Association, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the American Dietetic Association, Dieticians of Canada) agree that the school environment is an excellent place to reach the greatest number of young people and to make them aware of the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle. Part 1: Presentation of the Framework Policy

9. A Healthy Lifestyle? Obesity among adults and children is on the rise just about everywhere in the world, and to such an extent that the World Health Organization (WHO) has described the situation as one of epidemic proportions. Part 1: Presentation of the Framework Policy

10. Three Recommendations (WHO) • Modify the environment in order to promote healthy lifestyles in schools and the community. • Promote the acquisition of knowledge and skills that enable individuals to make healthy choices. • Limit and regulate advertising aimed at children. Part 1: Presentation of the Framework Policy

11. GOVERNMENT COMMITMENT • 2006-2009 Youth Action Strategy: The government undertakes to develop a framework policy on healthy eating for the school system. • Measure: Eliminate junk food in schools. • Government action plan: INVESTIR POUR L’AVENIR Part 1: Presentation of the Framework Policy

13. A Common Goal To improve Quebeckers’ quality of life by enabling them to live in environments that promote the adoption of healthy lifestyles, namely, active living and healthy eating habits.

14. A Target Clientele The main audience of the measures: • People up to the age of 25 • Their families Impact on the population as a whole, given actions that affect life settings and environments

15. Partners 7 ministries: • Santé et des Services sociaux • Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport • Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation du Québec • Famille, des Aînés et de la Condition féminine • Affaires municipales et des Régions • Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale • Transports 3 government agencies: • Secrétariat à la jeunesse • Office de la protection du consommateur • Institut national de santé publique du Québec

16. Focuses of Intervention (5) • To promote healthy eating habits • To promote active living • To promote favourable social standards • To improve services for people with weight-related problems • To promote research and the transfer of knowledge

17. To promote healthy eating habits: 21 actions • To make the municipalitiesaware of the measures they can take to promote healthy eating habits. • To support the health organizations and workplaces that wish to institute a healthy food policy.

18. To promote active living: 26 actions • To publicize the cooperation agreements between the schools and municipalities with regard to the sharing of sports facilities, in order to encourage more agreements of this kind. • To develop a technical guide designed to support municipalities in the development of safe routes to school. • Encourage work aimed at outfitting, landscaping and holding activities in schoolyards, in order to facilitate the practice of physical activity.

19. To promote favourable social standards: 10 actions • To ensure that a social campaign to promote healthy lifestyle habits is durable. • To showcase best practices in the promotion of healthy lifestyle habits. • To develop a standard based on consensus for businesses that wish to improve their employees’ health and that will support the establishment of measures to foster the creation of environments favourable to healthy lifestyle habits. To learn more about these: <www.msss.gouv.qc.ca/documentation/investir>

20. SUPPORT FOR EXISTING INITIATIVES, MOBILIZATION AND COMMITMENT OF THE SCHOOLS Recognizing actions already taking place in many schools, the Framework Policy constitutes a form of encouragement • to continue these actions (for example, in the francophone sector, 45 school boards have a local food policy) • or to undertake new ones The school’s involvement: By doing their part to foster healthy living habits, the school contributes to the achievement of government priorities. Part 1: Presentation of the Framework Policy

21. Framework Policy on Healthy Eating and Active Living

22. INTENDED AUDIENCE School boards, public schools and private schools taking students in - preschool - elementary and secondary school - vocational training and adult education Part 1: Presentation of the Framework Policy

23. GOAL • To support schools • in providing an environment conducive to the adoption and maintenance of healthy eating and active living habits • - in helping students develop personal competencies in this regard Part 1: Presentation of the Framework Policy

24. OBJECTIVES • To ensure that food supplied in the school environment promotes the adoption of healthy eating habits. • To increase physical activity opportunities for all students at school. • To create education, communication and promotion programs to facilitate the adoption of sustainable healthy living habits. • To mobilize the different school and community partners to undertake comprehensive, concerted actions that support the adoption of healthy eating and active living habits. Part 1: Presentation of the Framework Policy

25. ORIENTATIONS OF THE FRAMEWORK POLICY • Nine orientations grouped around three themes: • School environment (healthy eating, active lifestyle) • Education, promotion and communication • Mobilizing partners • The orientations are illustrated by some 30 examples taken from the schools. Part 1: Presentation of the Framework Policy

26. HEALTHY EATING • Orientation 1: Offer a variety of foods and give priority to food of nutritional value • Nine priority elements: • Offer meals that include foods from each of the four food groups of Canada’s Food Guide: Vegetables and Fruit, Grain Products, Milk and Alternatives, and Meat and Alternatives. • Prepare a main course accompanied by at least one vegetable. • Provide a variety of fruits and vegetables. Part 1: Presentation of the Framework Policy

27. HEALTHY EATING Orientation 1:  Offer a variety of foods and give priority to foods of nutritional value (cont.) Priority elements: 4. Provide a variety of 100% pure (unsweetened) fruit juices and vegetable juices, in addition to milk and water. 5. Give priority to whole grain products. 6. Offer desserts made with fruit, milk products and whole grain products; avoid desserts that have a high fat or sugar content. Part 1: Presentation of the Framework Policy

28. HEALTHY EATING • Orientation 1:  Offer a variety of foods and give priority to foods of high nutritional value (cont.) • Priority elements: • 7. Reduce the fat content of meats. • 8. Favour low-fat or nonfat cooking methods, such as steaming, baking, braising, poaching, grilling or roasting. • Avoid products containing saturated or hydrogenated fats or oils (trans fats). Part 1: Presentation of the Framework Policy

29. HEALTHY EATING Orientation 2:  Eliminate foods of low nutritional value from all school food supplies Five priority elements: 10. Eliminate sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened (diet) soft drinks as well as sugar-sweetened beverages. 11. Eliminate products in which sugar or a sugar substitute is the first ingredient listed. Part 1: Presentation of the Framework Policy

30. HEALTHY EATING Orientation 2:  Eliminate foods of low nutritional value from all school food supplies (cont.) Priority elements: 12. Eliminate French fries. 13. Eliminate frying and deep-frying, and avoid commercial or pre-fried breaded foods. 14. Sell or offer foods and beverages that meet dietary guidelines at fundraising events, special events, on school trips, outings, etc. Part 1: Presentation of the Framework Policy

31. HEALTHY EATING Orientation 3:  Provide appropriate areas and favourable conditions for meals Two priority elements: 15. Make sure that eating areas are safe at all times. 16. Make lunchtime an enjoyable part of the school day by ensuring that eating areas are pleasant and inviting. Part 1: Presentation of the Framework Policy

32. PAMPHLETS • Pamphlet 1: Healthy School Menus • For food service providers, catering and cafeteria service personnel, school boards and private schools • Pamphlet 2:Healthy Vending Machines • For school staff as well as for vending machine employees • Pamphlet 3: Healthy Snacks • For parents as well as school staff in the development of policies • related to snacks • Pamphlet 4: Healthy Lunch Boxes • Mainly for parents Part 1: Presentation of the Framework Policy

33. ACTIVE LIVING Orientation 1:  Increase physical activity opportunities • Actions considered effective or promising: • - Offer a wider range of recreational activities. • Train and support young leaders. • Train and support daycare workers. • - Incorporate physical activity opportunities into the timetable. Part 1: Presentation of the Framework Policy

34. ACTIVE LIVING Orientation 2: Offer activities that meet students’ varied interests and abilities Actions considered effective or promising: - Involve students in selecting the activities to be offered. - Plan activities that are specifically geared to girls. - Offer elementary school students more activities to develop their motor skills. - Offer activities that focus on games and the pleasure of being physically active. Part 1: Presentation of the Framework Policy

35. ACTIVE LIVING Orientation 3: Plan the layouts of indoor and outdoor play areas and animate the activities carried out in them in order to optimize the opportunities to be physically active Actions considered effective or promising: - Provide students with an adequate supply of safe and well-maintained equipment. - Plan the layout of the schoolyard to encourage students to be more physically active. - Animate activities in areas where students assemble during breaks. Part 1: Presentation of the Framework Policy

36. Pamphlets • Pamphlet 5: Schoolyard Activities and Layouts in Elementary Schools • For individuals who are responsible for schoolyard games • Pamphlet 6: Schoolyard Activities and Layouts in Secondary Schools • For individuals who are responsible for schoolyard installations and • extracurricular activities • Pamphlet 7: Extracurricular Physical Activities in Elementary and Secondary Schools • For individuals at the elementary and secondary level who would like to offer • a diverse selection of extracurricular physical activities or improve the existing selection Part 1: Presentation of the Framework Policy

37. EDUCATION, PROMOTION AND COMMUNICATION Orientation 1: Implement educational and promotional activities that foster healthy eating and active living • Actions that may serve as inspiration for schools: • Make all educators aware of the importance of promoting attitudes and behaviours that are essential for the adoption of healthy living habits. • - Offer students new foods and meals to help them develop their taste buds. Part 1: Presentation of the Framework Policy

38. EDUCATION, PROMOTION AND COMMUNICATION Orientation 1: Implement educational and promotional activities that foster healthy eating and active living (cont.) • Actions that may serve as inspiration for schools: • Organize extracurricular activities to help students develop cooking skills. • - Conduct regular activities to promote the adoption of healthy living habits (e.g. Plaisirs d’hiver, Sport Étudiant’s Physical Education Month [MEPSE], Walk to School Day/Week, Nutrition Month, Moi, j’croque 5 fruits et légumes, Bien dans sa tête, bien dans sa peau, Pelure de banane). Part 1: Presentation of the Framework Policy

39. EDUCATION, PROMOTION AND COMMUNICATION Orientation 2: Periodically provide information on initiatives to parents and the community so that they can support the schools’ efforts and ensure continuity Actions that may serve as inspiration for schools: - Post messages, videos, etc. on the school’s Web site. - Publish articles in a local or school newspaper. - Hand out brochures published by government ministries or other organizations. - Set up information booths in the schools during parent visits. Part 1: Presentation of the Framework Policy

40. MOBILIZING PARTNERS Orientation: Establish or consolidate partnerships with the community • Actions that may serve as inspiration for schools: • - Share or use infrastructure and human resources in the community (e.g. municipality, community centre, private club). • - Establish, with the help of the municipality, safe routes to school (e.g. appropriate signage, safe access, traffic regulations). • Implement consolidated projects that call on various community groups • - Encourage family and community volunteers to participate. Part 1: Presentation of the Framework Policy

41. FAVOURABLE CONDITIONS School boards: • Play a decisive role in making decisions conducive to healthy eating and active living • Develop a local policy that reflects the orientations of the Framework Policy (or update existing policies) • Ensure the cooperation of a team committed to the process • Establish consistent agreements with subcontractors • Monitor the application of the local policy and the progress made Part 1: Presentation of the Framework Policy

42. FAVOURABLE CONDITIONS (cont.) Schools: • Translate local policy into concrete action adapted to the school • Ensure the cooperation of a team committed to the process • Join forces with young people and their parents (have confidence in young people) • Involve the school staff Part 1: Presentation of the Framework Policy

43. CONDUCIVE CONDITIONS (cont.) Schools: • Create partnerships • Determine strategic times to implement changes • Recognize that desired changes may need to be implemented gradually, according to the community’s ability to act and meet challenges • Monitor actions and progress made Part 1: Presentation of the Framework Policy

44. QUESTIONS? Part 1: Presentation of the Framework Policy

45. Part 2 Implementation of the Framework Policy

46. VideoVirage santé Part 2: Implementation of the Framework Policy

47. One Way of Proceeding: The Healthy Schools Approach • Complementarity of services agreement between the MELS and the MSSS and the two networks • Fosters the development of young people • By promoting educational success, health and well-being • A promotional priority: The Healthy Schools Approach Part 2: Implementation of the Framework Policy

48. One Way of Proceeding: The Healthy Schools Approach (cont.) • Based on reports by international experts (WHO) • Takes into account the orientations and principles underpinning the education reform • Supports the implementation of global, concertedintervention to promote health and well-being • Provides guidance for the school and its partners with a view to increasing the effectiveness of interventions to promote health and well-being Part 2: Implementation of the Framework Policy

49. FINANCING • $1.5 M: to assist in the development of local policies • $6.5 M: to assist in the purchase of equipment (stoves, microwaves, etc.) • $3 M: to double an existing allocation for schoolyard layouts Part 2: Implementation of the Framework Policy

50. FINANCING (cont.) • In addition: • $400 000: to produce tools (Web sites, information documents for parents and students, monitoring mechanisms, etc.). • $5 M: for revamping the Wellness Oriented Schools program Part 2: Implementation of the Framework Policy