Healthy nutrition of children defines success of their development and studying as well as ensures basics of physical health for the whole life. Traditional choice of school-child between chips, sweets and fresh vegetables usually goes not for the healthy food. Children and parents at Chornobyl-affected areas in addition to risks of eating stale food, useless or dangerous diet with questionable species face the risk of consumption of products in which radionuclide content could exceed permissible levels. The task of teachers and parents is to ensure that children know how to choose healthy food.

But this can be achieved?

 Experts on teaching methods and on health nutrition and  radiation safety provided answers to this question at the seminars “Healthy Nutrition as a Part of Physical Health of School-children”. These seminars for teachers of Secondary schools in Sarny and Rokytne rayons of Rivne oblast were organized by the UNDP Chornobyl Recovery and Development Programme (CRDP) and took place on 3^rd and 4^th of April. Seminars were organised with the support of Louis Bonduelle Fondation.

Over 50 teachers have participated in seminars and were equipped with the information materials on healthy lifestyles, key factors that determine good health. Teachers have also received information on using attractive game-based didactic techniques in teaching healthy habits among school children. “Our goal was not only to share the information with teachers but to jointly develop handouts of the lessons, integrated in the school programme. Teacher, having such a handouts can easily conduct a lessons on healthy food and food safety at the radioactively contaminated territories.” – Sergiy Scherbak, the Environmental specialist of CRDP says. 

It is important to state that with the laps of time radiological situation at the affected territories significantly improved due to physical processes of radioactive decay and count-measures application. At the moment, at most of affected territories, excess of permissible level of radionuclides  in pork, beef, poultry, crops, potato does not take place. Although there still is some risk of internal irradiation due to consumption of forest products: berries and mushrooms, wild game. Vegetables and fruits that are source of vitamins, minerals, cellulose, pectins etc, play an important role for balanced nutrition. Experts recommend replacing forest products with those planted at farms. For example, the risk of exciding of permissible levels of radiation in domestic strawberry is much lower than in wild strawberry.

The information on levels of accumulation of radionuclides by different plants and about methods of their reduction via processing food was mainly new to participants. “The seminar was very useful for me. First of all, I have learned many new information and games that can be used for lessons on Basics of Heath. Secondly, jointly with colleagues from other schools we could get acquainted better and to develop materials to conduct lessons in our classes. Thirdly, I have understood that only I myself have to make an effort to build up my health.” – commented on seminar one of participants.

One of lessons that was developed by participants was entitled “Ukrainians in the Space”. During the lesson pupils  “will travel on sky” and will collect “stars” for correct answers on questions regarding balanced nutrition. The team that will load their spacecraft with the most healthy food will go to the virtual trip on the sky of stars and will get the price – apples.

Ms.Miroshnychenko Tetiana and Ms. Bublynska Oksana – trainers on methods of teaching in the primary school who conducted the seminar were trained within the bounds of UNDP “Peers to Peers Education”.

For further information please contact Dzvinka Kachur, UNDP/CRDP: Tel: /044/ 253 07 08; 253 50 68; 253 51 77 Fax: /044/ 253 76 63; e-mail: dzvinka.kachur@undp.org.ua