Family Food and Fitness to continue

It will be rolled out to further schools after a pilot was trailed at Plat Douet and Springfield Primary Schools last September. The new eight-week programme is now open to all children aged five to twelve years old, who are above a healthy weight. Families are welcome to take part, including siblings. 

Sessions run by Registered Dietitians and fitness professionals help families make positive changes to daily food and fitness routines, learn new skills and take part in fun activities together.

The scheme complements a range of initiatives that have been developed across government and community partners as part of the government’s Food and Nutrition Strategy.

Martin Knight, Public Health Policy Principle, said: “We are doing all we can to support and encourage families on the journey towards a healthy future and positive health outcomes, with programmes that have been best demonstrated to achieve this. Good nutrition and physical activity are known to reduce the risks of a variety of diseases in later-life, such as cancer and heart disease, which is now an urgent government priority.

“Our local data shows that 1 in 3 children in Year 6 are classed as overweight or obese. We know that intervening early in a child’s life has the most chance of forming positive dietary habits that are continued into adulthood.”

You can apply as a parent for the programme or Healthcare Professionals can apply for a child or family.