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MORE YOUNGSTERS HAVE TASTE FOR HEALTHIER SCHOOL FOOD
Express & Echo, 07 September 2007

New Government figures reveal that nearly half of all children will be dangerously overweight by 2050, but Devon youngsters are well on their way to bucking the trend.

Devon education bosses are reassuring parents that schools in the county is ahead of the game in the fight against childhood obesity.

According to new Government figures released earlier this week, almost half of all children will be dangerously overweight by 2050 unless action is taken.

Over the last 12 years, there's been a significant national rise in primary school children classified as obese, with just under 17 per cent of children aged between two and 10 over-tipping the scales.

From this month, food and drink sold in schools will have to meet a set of nutritional standards, making it more difficult for children to get a fast-food fix in between lessons. This comes in addition to Government measures introduced in 2006 to make school meals healthier.

Here in Devon, healthy meals have been on the menu for primary school children since 2005 thanks to Devon County Council's Fresh Start initiative.

Latest figures show that the number of Devon children choosing to eat school meals has increased by three per cent since last year.

A county council spokes- man said: "We regard leading a healthy and fulfilling life as being a key part of education for children and we are working with Devon Primary Care Trust on healthy initiatives."

Those include the Devon Healthy Schools Award programme.  More than half of the 360 schools across Devon now qualify as healthy schools and meet 62 different criteria on areas including nutrition, exercise and emotional wellbeing.

One Devon primary school is leading the way when it comes to encouraging youngsters to enjoy a healthy lifestyle. According to Christopher Tribble, head of PE at Exminster Community Primary School, pupils have welcomed new projects to get them active.

He said: "All of our sports clubs are over-subscribed and we have all ages from year one to year six applying to join the athletics club. It's like opening the floodgates when we start a new club.

"We've tried to make ourselves an active school as much as possible, with teachers and pupils all taking part in a 'wake up and shake up' before school.

"We want to enable every child to achieve fitness at their own level and we have 'huff and puff' on a team rota with every year group getting access to things like Frisbees, space hoppers and racquet sports. There's timetabled football for boys and girls and we've invested in 200 skipping ropes which have been very popular.

"The teachers join in and generally we try to be good role models. We're careful to eat the right things in front of the children. The school kitchen is very aware of healthy eating and crisps and fatty snacks are not available during the breaks.

"We've noticed the children are literally more awake and we've seen improving results in lessons that come after 'wake and shake'."

For those who choose not to eat school meals, the trusty lunchbox need not be an unhealthy option, full of chocolate and crisps.

Personal trainer Simon Lovell, who has devised a lunchbox diet book for adults, has some top tips to share to get children munching on healthier snacks.

Firstly, he advises using low fat spreads on sandwiches or trying some with no spread at all to see if the children notice. Bread can also make a difference.

Simon said: "Introduce granary bread and then move onto wholemeal bread. White bread has a high glycaemic index rating which means you'll get a boost of energy but then you'll dip. By implementing wholemeal bread, your youngster will have more energy throughout the day."

Adding a protein like lean strips of chicken or turkey in sandwiches is essential for children's muscle development, in addition to some vegetables or salad.

Simon also suggests some other tactics like including a child's favourite sandwich as well as a new one each day to see whether they like it.

He said: "This way they won't starve if they don't opt for the new-style sandwich and you can try something else the following day. "Always have fruit and try adding new ones aside from apples, bananas and oranges. Kids love new tastes and there are loads of fruits out there that will tingle their taste buds."

Simon also recommends organic yoghurts to satisfy a sweet tooth because they don't come loaded with sugars that are at risk of turning into fat. And if sandwiches get a bit boring, then there are tasty alternatives.

"Offer flavoured bits of chicken breasts and make up some natural dips that your child can plonk in and eat," he said. "Then make some shapes out of bits of vegetables. You can be just as imaginative as them."

Running around the playground and playing outside after school can also be a thirsty business but even drinks can come loaded with problems.

Simon said: "Avoid drinks high in sugar. Flavoured water is a much more sensible option and there's plenty out there to choice from. Natural fruit smoothies are the way forward. These will keep your child alert and provide some essential nutrients. Ones with berries are great."
 
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