tanTALK - View Single Post - Cancer Society's May 1 as the inaugural "Sunhats Off Day".

eileen · 05-06-2008, 01:38 AM

Dr Roscoe Taylor

Director of Public Health
Tuesday, 6 May 2008
HATS OFF TO VITAMIN D

Tasmania’s Director of Public Health today advised students, parents and schools that, for health reasons, it should be ‘hats off’ until Spring.

Dr Roscoe Taylor said the ‘hats off’ policy should be implemented Statewide to boost children’s Vitamin D levels over the colder months.

For the same reason, Dr Taylor said sunscreen should also be put away until Spring.
He said that schools and child care centres should suspend their usual sun protection policies for recess and lunchtime until the start of term three in September.
To mark ‘hats off until term three’, Dr Taylor today joined children from grade three at Lansdowne Primary School who threw off their hats to get a healthy dose of Vitamin D while playing in the lunchtime sunshine.
Dr Taylor said that in summer most Tasmanians received adequate Vitamin D in just a few minutes through sun exposure received during typical day-to-day outdoor activities.
“However in winter we need more than we are currently getting to meet healthy requirements,” he said.
“The message for parents and teachers is that it’s now safe for school children not to wear hats at recess and lunchtime until the beginning of term three.
“And it’s the same rule for little ones in child care too.”
Dr Taylor said that sun protection was important when the UV Index reached three or above, as that was the level that could cause skin damage.
“However, according to the Cancer Council of Australia’s guidelines, from May to August most people who live in southern Australia do not need any sun protection because UV Index levels are not high enough to cause significant skin damage.
"For that reason, people should not compromise their vitamin D levels by being ‘sun smart’ when it's not necessary, and that applies particularly to young children.

“Hats, and other forms of sun protection like sunscreen, are not generally necessary in Tasmania from now until the start of term three.
“It’s important that all Tasmanians get 2-3 hours of sunlight on their face, arms and hands over a week, at this time of the year.
“Vitamin D is largely created in the body as a result of skin exposure to ultraviolet radiation and is important for good bone health and the immune system.
“And what’s more, being active and getting outside to play in the sun is good for a child’s health in many other ways.
“It’s the same message for adults too – we strongly encourage everyone to get out and about in the midday sun during winter.
“As well as boosting Vitamin D levels, it’s great for increasing physical activity and giving your mood a lift.”
Further information: Professor Graeme Jones, Head Musculoskeletal Unit, Menzies Research Institute, 0415 335 161; Kay Gunn, Health Promotion Coordinator, Cancer Council of Tasmania, 6233 2030

SOURCE LINK: http://www.media.tas.gov.au/release.php?id=23660

05-06-2008, 01:38 AM	#6 (permalink)
eileen kiss me I'm Derf Join Date: Feb 10 2005 Posts: 6,829 Rep Power: 17	Re: Cancer Society's May 1 as the inaugural "Sunhats Off Day". Dr Roscoe Taylor Director of Public Health Tuesday, 6 May 2008 HATS OFF TO VITAMIN D Tasmania’s Director of Public Health today advised students, parents and schools that, for health reasons, it should be ‘hats off’ until Spring. Dr Roscoe Taylor said the ‘hats off’ policy should be implemented Statewide to boost children’s Vitamin D levels over the colder months. For the same reason, Dr Taylor said sunscreen should also be put away until Spring. He said that schools and child care centres should suspend their usual sun protection policies for recess and lunchtime until the start of term three in September. To mark ‘hats off until term three’, Dr Taylor today joined children from grade three at Lansdowne Primary School who threw off their hats to get a healthy dose of Vitamin D while playing in the lunchtime sunshine. Dr Taylor said that in summer most Tasmanians received adequate Vitamin D in just a few minutes through sun exposure received during typical day-to-day outdoor activities. “However in winter we need more than we are currently getting to meet healthy requirements,” he said. “The message for parents and teachers is that it’s now safe for school children not to wear hats at recess and lunchtime until the beginning of term three. “And it’s the same rule for little ones in child care too.” Dr Taylor said that sun protection was important when the UV Index reached three or above, as that was the level that could cause skin damage. “However, according to the Cancer Council of Australia’s guidelines, from May to August most people who live in southern Australia do not need any sun protection because UV Index levels are not high enough to cause significant skin damage. "For that reason, people should not compromise their vitamin D levels by being ‘sun smart’ when it's not necessary, and that applies particularly to young children. “Hats, and other forms of sun protection like sunscreen, are not generally necessary in Tasmania from now until the start of term three. “It’s important that all Tasmanians get 2-3 hours of sunlight on their face, arms and hands over a week, at this time of the year. “Vitamin D is largely created in the body as a result of skin exposure to ultraviolet radiation and is important for good bone health and the immune system. “And what’s more, being active and getting outside to play in the sun is good for a child’s health in many other ways. “It’s the same message for adults too – we strongly encourage everyone to get out and about in the midday sun during winter. “As well as boosting Vitamin D levels, it’s great for increasing physical activity and giving your mood a lift.” Further information: Professor Graeme Jones, Head Musculoskeletal Unit, Menzies Research Institute, 0415 335 161; Kay Gunn, Health Promotion Coordinator, Cancer Council of Tasmania, 6233 2030 SOURCE LINK: http://www.media.tas.gov.au/release.php?id=23660 __________________ under-exposure to uv rays is as dangerous as over-exposure...This is "D" life! (eileen)