'From Policy to Plate: Understanding What Our Children Eat' – Cafe Science Extra on 12th March

Published On Fri 7 Mar 2014 by Grant Hill

As Scotland faces up to rising rates of childhood obesity, efforts to address the looming crisis have been redoubled by politicians, public health officials and policy makers but have they made any difference?

Dr Stephanie Chambers from the University of Dundee’s Division of Oral Health Sciences will talk about her research into children’s eating habits at the next Café Science Extra event to be held at Dundee Science Centre on Wednesday, 12th March.

Dr Chambers is currently examining how to develop and evaluate a programme to promote healthier eating practices in school children. As part of this, she invited school pupils to record what they ate over two days via a photo diary, as well as gathering evidence of what was happening in cafeterias and interviewing teachers and parents.

"Eating a healthy meal at lunchtime can improve concentration and performance for primary school pupils as well as their diet,” she said. “This has been recognised by the Scottish Government who have created legislation and a curriculum that supports healthy eating in schools. But are these policies succeeding in making our children healthier?”

Café Science was launched in January 2008, and has attracted over 5000 visitors since then. The monthly events are informal discussions led by leading local researchers that allow members of the public the opportunity to learn more about the ground-breaking science happening in Dundee.

Café Science Extra allows members of the public to meet with up-and-coming scientists from the Universities of Dundee, St Andrews and Abertay, the James Hutton Institute, and Dundee Science Centre. Led by the University of Dundee’s Public Outreach team, the series also features guest speakers from other institutions.

‘From Policy to Plate: Understanding What Our Children Eat’ takes place at Dundee Science Centre from 6pm on Wednesday 12th March. Entry is free, and open to all, although places are limited so it is advised that visitors arrive early to avoid disappointment.

For more information, please visit www.cafesciencedundee.co.uk.

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277 / 07581534927