The municipality of Schagen’s aim is to promote a healthy lifestyle among children. Fit and happy children. In the various programme components, children and their parents or carers learn what is needed to make their lifestyle healthier. Schools also have the opportunity to receive guidance in becoming a Healthy School. The project will run for at least five years, from 2018 to 2022.
On a supermarket safari
Every year, all children at the primary school receive two nutrition lessons from a dietitian from Dieet & Co. Mariska Rinkel of Dieet & Co: “During these lessons, they learn in a fun and positive way what food can do for their bodies and how to eat healthily. What do dietary fibres do for your body? Why do you need water? But also: why is sleep so important? Just like exercise. Of course, they are allowed to taste and eat things. And with the oldest children, we even cook and go on a supermarket safari.”
Study among all 5- and 6-year-olds
In addition to the services provided by youth healthcare, parents or carers of 5- and 6-year-olds have the opportunity to speak with a dietitian about healthy eating and drinking. Useful tips and information about healthy food make eating together fun and enjoyable.
Healthy School certificate
Of course, it is also important for the school itself to provide a healthy environment. Marsha Kaarsbaan is a Healthy School adviser at GGD Hollands Noorden. “For this, we work with the national Healthy School approach. The school chooses one or more themes and works according to a step-by-step plan based on four pillars: education, policy, environment and monitoring. This makes and keeps health part of everyday practice at school. Pupils are more likely to make a healthy choice, now and in the future. If the school has one or more themes in order, it can apply for the Healthy School certificate!
Identifying excess weight at an early stage
The next step is a height and weight measurement. This is for all 8-year-olds in the municipality of Schagen. A medical assistant from the GGD’s youth healthcare service carries out this measurement at school. If there is cause for concern, the youth health nurse can speak with the parent and child. Mariska Rinkel: “The aim is to identify excess or insufficient weight at an early stage and address or prevent it.”
Parents have the biggest role
There are also workshops for parents. The topics of the workshops are chosen in consultation with the school and the parents and are aligned with the Healthy School approach. Melissa Deenstra: “Ultimately, parents have the biggest role when it comes to their children’s healthy lifestyle. They are the most important example, determine what is eaten, both at home and at school, and consciously or unconsciously pass on rules and norms about nutrition and exercise to their children.”