SDHB Consults on its Healthy Eating Policy

Friday 7 March 2008

Making Healthy Choices Easier - SDHB Consults on its Healthy Eating Healthy Action Policy

Southland District Health Board (SDHB) is seeking feedback on its draft Healthy Eating Healthy Action (HEHA) Policy, Lexie O'Shea, Interim Deputy CEO announced today - a policy she says is designed to make healthy choices easier, rather than forcing them against will.

"Improving the health of Southlanders is core business for SDHB and improving nutrition and increasing physical activity are key strategies to achieve this," she said.

"Our draft HEHA policy is focused on providing a setting where the healthy choice is easy to make, rather than making it enforced."

Mrs O'Shea said that the policy covers catering, onsite food provision, infant feeding and active lifestyle across the organisation.

"Because the draft HEHA policy will influence how we do things as an organisation, for example, food provision in our cafeterias, we're inviting the community to comment on this policy as patients, consumers or visitors to our organisation." she said.

Last year SDHB undertook a consultation on the prevention and management of chronic conditions, including seeking feedback on the DHB’s role as a role model in the promotion of good nutrition and physical activity.

SDHB HEHA Manager, Melanie McKenzie, said that the feedback received showed people felt it was important that SDHB leads by example and provides a setting where healthy choices are easy to make.

"But the word ‘choices’ is critical, and people wanted to see a range of options retained," Mrs McKenzie said.

"We're now inviting both staff and members of the community to comment on the draft policy with feedback due on 20 March 2008," Mrs O'Shea said.

ENDS

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