College of GPs supports Breakfast and Lunch in Schools

College of GPs supports Breakfast and Lunch Programmes in Schools Bill

The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners supports Hone Harawira’s private member's Education (Breakfast and Lunch Programmes in Schools) Amendment Bill, which is expected to have its first reading in June.

The Bill proposes introducing a government-funded breakfast and lunch programme in all decile 1-2 schools, which would be required to meet Ministry of Health nutritional guidelines.

College President Tim Malloy says, ‘The College is pleased to support this Bill because we’re committed to achieving health equity in Aotearoa New Zealand. We believe we must all focus on eliminating health inequities between population groups by targeting the social and economic determinants of health.

‘Evidence shows that children in families with significant financial hardship are less likely to be able to eat healthy food and have higher rates of obesity and poorer dental health.

‘The College supports looking at ways to improve low-income families’ diets by reducing the barriers they face to eating healthy food, and the breakfast and lunch programme is one of the ways in which we might help to achieve this.’

ENDS

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