The Family Food Challenge is a teaching pack for secondary schools. Pioneered as a result of concern in Hampshire about the eating habits of British teenagers, one of nine schools currently using the pack has completed a pilot. The pack is based on national statistics on the diets of British teenagers and regional observations of eating behaviours of school‐aged children. The pack contains ten challenges for children and their families to teach them in a practical manner the significance and benefits of adequate nutrition. Describes how the pack came about, theories on which it was based, details of the pack’s contents, how it is used and an evaluation of its success. The pack is not only of regional consequence, but also has national implications for teachers and health professionals involved in oral health promotion.
The dietary patterns of indigenous Fijians are changing rapidly. Dietary relationships in regard to the prevalence of diabetes are poorly studied in Fiji. A survey was conducted to show the relationship of dietary patterns and other lifestyle factors for the development of diabetes among urban indigenous women in Fiji. A sample of 200 Fijian women aged 30–39 who agreed to participate were interviewed by the use of semiquantitative food frequency, 3 day-24 h recall study. Physical activity and ceremonial dietary customs were also taken into consideration. Anthropometry included measurements of height, weight, waist and hip. Total percentage bodyfat measurements and glycosuria tests were also conducted. The results showed high rates of obesity manifested in high percentage bodyfat, high body mass index (BMI) and high waist and hip ratio (WHR). The mean 24 h dietary intake exhibited a moderate intake of protein, high intake of fat and a low intake of carbohydrate. The carbohydrate reduction was a result from the decline in consumption of traditional staples. Consumption of cereals and related products favored the high intake of butter and margarine...