Healthy Weight and Wellbeing for Children

Healthy Weight and Wellbeing for Children

The Healthy Weight and Wellbeing for Children initiative is being developed by CSIRO to help parents make healthy eating and physical activity a higher priority for families.

In Australia the problem of overweight and obesity has reached alarming levels with 20 to 25 per cent of children and adolescents affected. The most significant long-term consequence of childhood obesity is that without intervention it is likely to continue into adulthood and result in serious health problems.

Helping parents to encourage and guide their children to eat well and be active is the goal of the CSIRO Healthy Weight and Wellbeing for Children initiative. These pages provide information and practical tips on healthy lifestyles. They will continue to evolve as the research team develop new resources for parents.

Dietary Guidelines for Children and Adolescents [external link]
These are the recommended nutritional guidelines for young Australians. They are based on science and developed by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).

Department of Health and Ageing [external link]
Looking for tips to choose nutritious foods and healthy eating patterns? Let The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating do the hard yards for you. It can be downloaded from this Federal Government nutrition and healthy eating site.

Go for 2&5 [external link]
Need to get more fruit and vegetables into your family’s diet? The Go for 2&5 program is funded by Federal, State and Territory Governments. This site tells you all you need to know and also has some useful recipe ideas  [external link].

The Heart Foundation [external link]
This is the home of the iconic Tick that helps with healthier food choices in the supermarket. Go to Healthy Living for a section dedicated to kids  [external link].

Dietitians Association of Australia [external link]
DAA is a professional nutrition organisation. See how your diet stacks up with the nutrition quiz  [external link]. Find recipes and tips in Smart Eating For You  [external link].

Go Grains Health & Nutrition Limited [external link]
Want to drill down for information on grains and legumes? There are also recipes and some useful tips from this independent nutrition advisor on grain foods in human health.

Nutrition Australia [external link]
Children’s nutritional needs change as they grow.  This non-profit, community-based organisation provides a range of information suitable for all age groups and some recipes too.

Eat Well Tasmania [external link]
If you are looking for reasons why you should start children on healthy eating patterns from the word 'go' this state-wide program has a children’s section packed with good information.  You’ll find food ideas, meal plans and tips on eating behaviour in the Start Them Right booklet [external link, PDF, 1.2 MB].

Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) [external link]
If you have questions about food safety, codes of practice, or the content and labelling of food this site can help.  The FSANZ is a statutory body that also keeps an eye on emerging food trends and environmental issues.

Department of Health and Ageing [external link]
Do you know how much physical activity you should be doing? If not you need the Australian Government’s Physical Activity site. Download the Physical Activity Guidelines for Australians. This site also suggests lots of ways to make activity part of your everyday life.

Get moving [external link]
Looking for some fun ways to get kids active? This Australian Government site has some important reminders, Just for Parents. [external link]

10,000 Steps [external link]
Get inspired to use a pedometer to reach your daily goal for active people.  This Queensland Health site can also tell you how active your child should be using Australia's Physical Activity Recommendations.

Raising Children Network [external link]
Looking for practical parenting information in plain English? The Raising Children Network is a great resource for carers of newborns to children up to eight years old.  There are also links to local services, activities and discussion forums.

Abcd [external link]
Want to get the best out of your relationship with teenagers? This site offers strategies and ideas for parents and professionals to help learn new skills and build confidence around raising adolescents.

Kids Eat Kids Play [external link]
Need information about food intake, body size and weight of Australian children? This is the site of the National Children’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey that will influence how good nutrition and healthy lifestyles are promoted in the future.

Healthy Kids [external link]
Easy-to-read facts, tips and suggestions for parents, schools and childcare providers from this NSW Government site. Find out what a healthy weight for children should be and what some experts are saying about overweight and obesity in Australian children. 

Go For Your Life [external link]
The Tips and FAQs pages have good information for parents and young people of all age groups on this easy to navigate Victorian Government site. Also the name of a TV show about healthy lifestyles.

The Cancer Council [external link]
Did you know that a healthy diet, combined with regular physical activity and a healthy body weight can reduce cancer risk by up to 25 per cent? Check out the Eat for Health and Move Your Body fact sheets from Australia's peak cancer control organisation.

Australian Dental Association  [external link]
Looking for more information on how to protect teeth from decay by choosing healthy foods? This dentist’s group has produced dental health tips for children of all ages, including primary schoolers.

Our team has research expertise in nutrition, physical activity and parenting (psychology). Our collaborative research focuses on understanding and promoting healthy lifestyles for Australian families.

If you would like to know more or explore collaborative opportunities, please contact: