Advice from a School Nurse
SN: Hello, I’m the school nurse. I believe you wanted to see me.
A: Yes, I’m a bit worried about my son’s weight. I think he’s perhaps a bit too fat.
SN: OK. Let’s think about that: what is he like with his eating habits?
A: Oh, he likes his food.
SN: He does. Does he eat lots of fruit and vegetables?
A: Well, you know, he likes bananas.
SN: Do you know how many fruits and vegetables a child should have every day?
A: No, not really.
SN: We like to suggest five portions.
A: OK. I see, is there anything else apart from.....
SN: Is he very active?
A: Eh, well I don’t know really – he runs around at playtime I suppose.
SN: How does he get to school in the morning?
A: Oh, we go in the car.
SN: Is there any possibility you could walk or he could ride his bicycle?
A: I think riding a bike’s a bit dangerous, don’t you? And we’re always a bit short of time in the morning.
SN: OK. That can be difficult, how about after school; does he do any activities after school?
A: No, he usually watches TV.
SN: Is there any way you could take him to the park once or twice a week or maybe to the swimming pool?
A: Yeah, we could go down the park I suppose. We could do that, we could try anyway.
SN: OK, so if you just try to increase the amount of fruit and vegetables that he eats, eh, maybe a few less snacks. Does he eat a lot of snacks?...
