TO GROW HEALTHIER CHILDREN

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 237, 6 October 1945, Page 4

TO GROW HEALTHIER CHILDREN

THERE are grounds for melancholy reflection in the widely different experiences of Britain and New Zealand in the maintenance of children's health standards during recent years. It would not have been surprising if children who had spent the war years in Britain had shown less than normal development. This was not the case. In fact, it has been stated that the carefully-balanced diet prescribed by the Ministry of Food had the effect of raising physical standards. The disparity between food within the means of rich and poor was wiped out. In New Zealand, on the other hand, where there have been no vital food shortages, a general decline in children's health standards has been experienced. Bad choice of diet has no doubt much to do with this, but.another of the causes was touched on by the Minister of Health in

the House yesterday. Mr. Nordmeyer said many parents did not realise '■'■ the influence of adequate rest and sleep on the development of growing children. Brief reflection will make it obvious that this is so. During the war many mothers have been unable to give full attention to their

children, and as a consequence youngsters have been placed in schools

and kindergartens at an unusually tender age. Their elder brothers and I sisters' have also been permitted to attend more evening entertainments I than desirable from the health point of view. The country's" demands

If on parents' time are being steadily reduced, and it should now be possible %■ for the majority to ensure that their children follow the well proved It routine of balanced work, play and rest. The danger is that habits % formed of wartime necessity may prove difficult to abandon.