Why We Need to Educate Young People on Food and Nutrition

Hey folks! So, there’s this fitness instructor in Fife who’s really concerned about how social media is affecting the health of young people. Her name is Robyn Drummond, and she’s organizing a seminar in November to raise awareness about diet culture and food nutrition. She believes that social media is giving young people a distorted view of what it means to be healthy. And you know what? I couldn’t agree more!

Robyn points out that social media has its benefits, but it’s also becoming more popular, especially among young people. Kids are getting phones at a younger age, and they’re bombarded with all sorts of content about diets and wellness. It’s crazy! She even mentioned how influencers with thousands of followers promote things like fat loss injections. Can you imagine the negative impact that has on impressionable young minds?

It’s not just Robyn who’s worried. The National Review of Eating Disorder Services in 2021 revealed a significant increase in anorexia nervosa among ten to fourteen year olds over the past seven years. That’s really alarming, don’t you think?

To tackle this issue, Robyn recently visited Lochgelly Primary School to talk to the kids in primary seven about body confidence. And you won’t believe what she found out! When she asked the children what makes someone inspirational, most of them mentioned things like having nice teeth, a nice body, and doing those ‘what I eat in a day’ videos. Seriously? Is that what our young ones aspire to be? It’s absolutely terrifying!

Now, let’s talk about those ‘what I eat in a day’ videos. They’re all the rage on Instagram and TikTok. Basically, people show off all the meals and snacks they eat in a day. But here’s the thing, these videos can be really misleading. They create this idea that there’s a perfect diet or a one-size-fits-all approach to eating. But that’s just not true!

Robyn is also concerned about fad diets. You know, those diets that promise quick weight loss? Well, they might help you shed a few pounds initially, but they’re not sustainable in the long run. It’s like a rollercoaster ride for your weight! You lose weight quickly, but then it all comes back once you stop the diet. It’s a vicious cycle!

To address these issues, Robyn has been working with Fife Council to develop future programs in schools. She’s hoping to start an after-school program in January that focuses on exercise, nutrition, and body confidence. The program would run for eight weeks and aims to educate students about health and well-being. It’s all about giving them the tools to navigate the online world and make informed choices.

You know what’s shocking? There’s barely any nutrition education in schools. No one is teaching kids about the stuff they see online and how to critically evaluate it. It’s like we’re leaving them to figure it out on their own. That’s not right!

Robyn believes that it’s essential for young people to understand the basics of nutrition. They should know what protein, carbohydrates, and fats are, and why they’re important for our bodies. It’s not just about losing weight; it’s about having a healthy relationship with food.

So, let’s support Robyn in her mission to educate young people about food and nutrition. It’s time we empower them to make informed choices and develop a positive relationship with their bodies. Together, we can make a difference!