Devon children act up for healthy living
An innovative programme bringing actors into classrooms across Devon to encourage and support children to make healthier choices on diet and exercise has been selected to feature in this week’s British Science Festival.
The Healthy Lifestyles Programme is being run by specialists from the University of Exeter Medical School and Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry.
The programme sees Year 5 pupils work with a drama group who play the part of four characters: Snacky Sam, Disorganised Duncan, Active Amy and Football Freddie.
The children choose the character with whom they most closely identify and work with them to act out scenarios in which the characters make changes to the food and drink they choose. Sessions specifically focus on snacks, meals, fizzy drinks and how much activity and screen time they engage in. A key element is involving parents, who come into school to see their children perform in the drama sessions.
Dr Jenny Lloyd from the University of Exeter Medical School said: “We find that the children are so engaged and enthused with this approach that they go home and talk to their parents about it, encouraging them to come into the school and initiating discussion at home about making small lifestyle changes as a family.
“It aims to educate children and encourage them to consider any changes they would like to make to their snacking habits and activity levels, which could make a huge difference in the long term. The programme has been carefully designed to enable and support children to make small, sustainable changes to their lifestyles and the involvement of families is central to achieving this. Family members are encouraged to attend key events and we are really hoping that they take up the offer and come in to the school to see all the exciting work the children are doing.”
Maria Outram, whose 10-year-old daughter Grace is a pupil at Bere Alston School in West Devon, said: “Grace would never eat anything that was green or grown, but now she always makes sure she has some kind of vegetable or salad on her plate. She’s always been quite active, but very stubborn about her food, and mealtimes would often turn into a stand-off where we had to sit it out while she ignored her vegetables. Now she’s trying things that she would have turned her nose up at before. It’s absolutely brilliant. Every school should be doing it.”
Grace said: “I’ve really enjoyed the programme. My favourite part was writing and performing a rap about healthy living. It’s really made me think about what’s healthy, and to realise that sometimes it’s not always obvious which products contain the most sugar.”
Half the schools receive the programme while the other half follow the usual curriculum but are assessed and act as controls to help scientists understand whether the programme effectively improves children’s lifestyles.
Data from the latest 2011 Health Survey for England reported that a third of 11-15 year old children were either overweight or obese. Being overweight in childhood is associated with serious long-term health problems, including increased risk of Type II diabetes and musculo-skeletal and psychological problems.
James McInnes, Cabinet Member for Schools at Devon County Council, said: “Devon schools have always led the way with innovative ideas to improve life for our children. Naturally we want every child in every Devon school to achieve the best they can academically. But a good education is about more than exam results. This programme could help our children lead healthier, more rewarding and fulfilling lives and I am delighted that so many Devon schools are taking part, particularly as our county provides so many opportunities to enjoy a healthy lifestyle.”
The Devon schools actively taking part in the programme are: Ladysmith Junior, Okehampton Primary, Whitchurch Primary, St Peter’s C of E Junior School, Bere Alston, Axminster, Countess Wear , Exeter Road Newton Poppleford Ashburton and Willand primary schools. The control schools are: Clyst Heath, St Sidwells , St John’s C of E, Winkleigh, Seaton, Brixington, St Joseph’s Catholic, Sidmouth , Marldon C of E and The Grove primary schools.
