A Strategy to Address Consumption of Vegetables in Children
This document reports on a HIA commissioned project (VG13090) to develop a strategic investment plan (SIP) for increasing vegetable intake amongst children. It comprises a systematic review of worldwide initiatives on increasing vegetable consumption with a view to identifying initiatives that have been shown to be effective as well as to identify gaps and opportunities for new initiatives, a consultation with key stakeholders to get their input into the effectiveness of initiatives and opportunities for collaboration, and a strategic investment plan (SIP) to prioritise and recommend initiatives that have some evidence of effectiveness in increasing vegetable consumption in children. Setting good eating behaviours as a child is essential as it forms the basis for future eating behaviours for life. Results from the latest Australian Health Survey suggest children are a long way off meeting recommended vegetable intakes hence there is an opportunity for the vegetable industry to work with those pursuing public health goals.