Nutrition
Public Health dietitians use a population health approach to improve the health of communities and focus on the prevention of nutrition-related diseases. As part of a multidisciplinary team, they act as expert advisors to colleagues, other professionals, agencies and community organizations.
Dietitians also collaborate with numerous partners on various strategies and initiatives as defined in the Public Health Nutrition Framework for Action.
The Nutrition Framework for Action guides work in five priority areas:
Food security exists when everyone, at all times, has the physical and economic means to access sufficient food to lead a healthy and active life.
Public Health works with many partners to improve food security for New Brunswickers. Here are some examples of food security initiatives in which Public Health can play a part:
Food environments play an important role in the health of populations. People's food choices depend on the availability and accessibility of healthy foods in the places where they live, work and play.
Healthy eating is easier in an environment where food choices are healthy, affordable and accessible. Here are some examples of initiatives in which Public Health can play a part:
Healthy eating begins before birth and is essential to a child's healthy growth and development. During pregnancy, a pregnant person provides everything their baby needs to develop properly In addition, eating habits established early in a child's life can influence eating habits and health in adulthood.
Public Health offers:
- Home visits before and after birth to ensure that pregnancies are healthy and contribute to a baby's development.
Breastfeeding is the natural, safe and healthy way to feed your baby. It promotes the child's health, growth and optimal development. Breast milk meets all an infant's needs for the first six months of life. It is advisable to continue breastfeeding until the child is two years old or more, adding appropriate complementary foods at around six months of age.
A vitamin D supplement of 400 IU (10 µg) is recommended for breastfed babies and young children.
For more information, visit:
It's important for school-age children and young people to acquire good eating habits. A healthy diet promotes optimal physical and intellectual growth and development and reduces the risk of chronic disease. Public Health dietitians aim to make healthy choices as easy as possible for this population. For example, Public Health supports schools and school districts in implementing Policy 711 of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development: School environment conducive to healthier eating.
To find out more about the comprehensive school health approach, visit the following site:
Global School Health – Joint Consortium for School Health (jcsh-cces.ca)
Mental Health and Weight Bias in Schools
