Preventing Childhood Obesity

Why join the course?

Childhood obesity is one of the biggest health challenges of the 21st century and affects over 41 million children under the age of five. If not prevented at an early age it can become a lifelong condition and lead to very serious diseases and disorders.

This free online course follows the latest innovative research in childhood development to reveal what is contributing to these shocking figures and what can be done to prevent childhood obesity.

Join us over four unique and engaging weeks as we learn from well-respected and published professionals about obesity prevention in children under five, and gain lifestyle strategies to provide children with an early start to healthy living and pathways to healthy futures.

What topics will you cover?

• The complexities and implications of the global obesity epidemic facing children of the 21st century
• The impact of nutrition, physical activity, screen time and sleep on childhood obesity
• Factors influencing a child’s nutrition, physical activity, screen time and sleep (the ecological model)
• Guidelines for understanding what healthy eating means for young children and how to put it into practice
• Practical strategies for promoting healthy eating for children (making fruit and vegetables more attractive, modifying recipes and menus, reducing discretionary foods, and making meal times positive)
• Physical activity milestones, challenges and guidelines for children under five years old
• Strategies for promoting physical activity for children (creating active spaces and opportunities for physical activity in everyday and childcare settings)
• The prevalence and complexities of screen time in the 21st century and its influence on young children
• Guidelines for screen use for children under five years of age
• Strategies for promoting healthy screen time for young children (creating a balance by reducing, maximising and replacing screen time)
• The science behind sleep across the lifespan and how it is measured and regulated
• Guidelines for sleep in young children
• Practical strategies for optimising, prioritising and promoting sleep hygiene

(CPD must not be older than three years prior to the exam)