Healthy Eating and Physical Activity
Statistics from the 2007 National Australian Children's Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey show that in South Australia 18 -25% of two to eight year old children are overweight or obese. Research suggests that children who are overweight or obese are more likely to be overweight or obese as adults. Some of the complications of obesity in children and adolescents include poor self-esteem, body image disorder, depression, asthma, exercise intolerance, obstructive sleep apnoea, gallstones, reflux, fatty liver disorder, renal complications, musculo-skeletal disorders, cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes and polycystic ovary syndrome. Given these statistics, childhood obesity is a significant public health issue that needs addressing.
Eat well, be active… start young!
The eat well, be active…start young! (ewbasy) program ran from 2007-2010 and was funded by SA Health through the Australian Better Health Initiative and Out of Hospital Services to provide a statewide focus on supporting healthy weight for children aged from birth to five years.
The eat well be active…start young! program's main aim was to build capacity of CYWHS staff, particularly Child and Family Health Service (CaFHS) nurses, to support parents of children 0-5 to encourage children to eat well and be active.
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Key Objectives
- To increase the capacity of CYWHS staff to promote breastfeeding, healthy eating, active play and healthy weight.
- To develop partnerships with key stakeholders that supports the development and implementation of the program strategies.
- To increase parents' awareness of the key 'eat well be active…start young!' program messages.
- To assess the effectiveness of the program strategies in achieving the program goals and objectives.
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Healthy eating and physical activity resources
The ewbasy program produced several resources (as described below). Some resources are no longer available however they are good examples of best practice or innovative health promotion strategies.
The program produced the following resources to reinforce healthy messages and provide parents with accurate information:
Placemat and play mat
A play mat and a placemat were designed and developed as innovative ways to present and reinforce the messages of healthy eating for toddlers and active play with children from birth.
They were available to Child and Family Health Staff only and distributed in the following ways.
- Play mat was offered at the 6-8 month health check or earlier if appropriate (Universal Contact Visit, Getting To Know Your Baby Groups).
- Placemat was offered at the 18 month health check or after 12 months of age if appropriate.
eat well be active …start young! DVD
The 'eat well be active...start young!' DVD promotes the benefits of healthy eating, including breastfeeding, starting solids and managing the eating issues of under 5s. It also promotes the benefits of playing with babies and children to support their development, including reducing screen time for children. It was filmed in the homes and a range of community settings by a local film production company. It was produced as a more engaging alternative to written information.
'Ngartunna Waiendi …Babies on the Move' DVD
Ngartunna Waiendi translates as 'babies growing up strong'. This DVD is designed for use as an tool to raise awareness of the benefits of play to support motor development for Aboriginal infants. This DVD is freely available to all parents, families and caregivers of Aboriginal infants living in metropolitan Adelaide. DVDs are distributed via CaFHS centres, Universal Contact Visit or Family Home Visiting program, Aboriginal Health Care Services, Community Health sectors, child care and children's services.
Ngartunna Waiendi…Babies on the Move- DVD cover
Ngartunna Waiendi… Babies on the Move - poster
Ngartunna Waiendi…Babies on the move - DVD Booklet
Easy Read Pamphlets
5 easy read pamphlets have been revised and updated in accordance with the latest evidence-based research and infant and child nutrition guidelines. These easy read pamphlets aim to support parents with advice and strategies surrounding nutritional issues for children aged 0-5 years. These resources are still freely available to all SA parents and health providers who work with families.
These pamphlets can be downloaded and printed in PDF format or ordered using the form below.
Feeding your baby in the first year 
Snacks for children 
Drinks for children
Dealing with fussy eating 
Constipation in children
Order form
Health care workers in South Australia can order resources through the Centre for Health Promotion.
Order form
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Further publications
Several important documents informed the ewbasy strategies that may be of interest:
ANGELO workshop summary report 2007
This is a summary report of the ANGELO Action Plan Development Workshop held in Adelaide 2007 as part of the eat well, be active...start young! program. ANGELO is an 'Analysis Grid of Elements Linked to Obesity'.
Strategies which aim to positively influence healthy weight in children aged zero to five years - an updated systematic review of the literature 2008.
This report by Deakin University in 2008 identifies and summarises literature on healthy weight for 0-5 year old children which has been published subsequent to the 2006 review.
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Contact details
For further information, or to order resources please phone Centre for Health Promotion on (08) 8161 7777 or complete the enquiry form on the contact us page.
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