As National Nutrition Week 2024 approaches, from 15–19 October, the theme “Eat Right for a Better Life” encourages us to reflect on how we can promote better health through nutrition. But for educators, especially those working with young minds, it’s important to consider how we deliver this message. When teaching students about food and healthy eating, it’s essential to remember that our words and methods can have a profound and lasting impact.
While many teachers might approach this week with plans for projects on tracking food intake or calculating calories, these activities, though well-intentioned, could unintentionally sow the seeds of unhealthy relationships with food. As a dietitian who works with both teenagers and adults, I’ve seen firsthand how disordered eating patterns can develop from an innocent classroom activity or casual discussion about diet.
Understanding Individual Nutritional Needs
One of the most important things to remember when teaching children about nutrition is that no two individuals have the same nutritional requirements. While average daily calorie needs can be estimated for groups, it’s impossible to predict what any one person should be eating. Factors such as metabolic rate, activity levels, and even hormonal changes can vary drastically from person to person—and even within the same person on different days.
For example, if you look at the average caloric requirements for a 30-year-old man, it might be around 2,700 calories per day. However, depending on a variety of factors, his actual needs could range from 1,620 to 3,780 calories. The difference between individuals can be enormous, even among people of similar age, size, and gender. That’s why it’s important to avoid comparisons or suggesting “ideal” amounts of food for growing children.
Encouraging students to compare their diets or count calories can lead them down a dangerous path of unhealthy competition or self-judgment. Instead, a more productive approach might involve discussions around balanced meals, listening to hunger cues, and understanding how food provides the energy needed for growth, activity, and mental well-being.
Navigating the Challenges of Puberty
The teenage years are an especially tricky time when it comes to talking about food and body image. Puberty brings rapid physical changes that can be confusing for both boys and girls. It’s common for girls, in particular, to gain body fat quickly during this time—sometimes as much as 10 kilograms in a single year as their bodies undergo crucial changes necessary for healthy growth and development.
This increase in body fat supports hormonal changes, reproductive health, and the overall rounding out of the body as it matures into its adult shape. Without this natural weight gain, girls may experience disruptions in their growth and development, including delayed puberty, hormonal imbalances, and potential long-term health issues such as reduced bone density or impaired reproductive health. The body needs this extra fat to support the changes required for a healthy transition into adulthood.
For boys, weight gain can also precede growth spurts, leaving them temporarily heavier before they shoot up in height. These changes are a normal and essential part of their development, but they can easily be misinterpreted as something negative.
Talking about body changes in a sensitive and supportive way is key. Instead of focusing on numbers—whether it’s calories or weight—it’s far more helpful to focus on how food nourishes the body and supports overall health. Teaching students to view food as fuel for their bodies, particularly as they grow and develop, helps shift the focus away from appearance and toward functionality and well-being.
A Better Approach to Nutrition Education
As educators, it’s important to foster a healthy relationship with food among students. Rather than encouraging calorie counting or detailed food diaries, consider shifting the conversation toward balanced eating, mindfulness, and how good nutrition supports learning, growth, and mental clarity.
Promoting a healthy lifestyle should always consider the emotional and psychological impact that discussions around food can have, especially for children and teenagers, who are still developing their sense of self and body image. Teachers hold significant influence in shaping these young minds, and the way we approach topics like nutrition can either help them develop a healthy relationship with food or unintentionally set them on a path toward disordered eating.
As we celebrate National Nutrition Week 2024, let’s be mindful of these issues and aim to promote a healthier, more holistic approach to eating and well-being—one that truly leads to a better life for all.
If you’re concerned about how nutrition is being taught to your child or if you want to ensure they develop a healthy relationship with food, I invite you to reach out. As a dietitian with a special interest in intuitive eating and adolescent health, I can provide personalized guidance for both you and your family. Let’s work together to nurture balanced, positive eating habits that support long-term well-being. Contact me today to schedule a consultation—because every child deserves a healthy, confident start in life.