Municipality of Utrecht supports healthy lifestyles among pupils at ten primary schools

The support is initially focused on schools where the greatest impact can be made. These are Utrecht primary schools with a school weighting higher than 30 and schools for special (primary) education. A school weighting is calculated by Statistics Netherlands (CBS) based, for example, on the parents’ level of education and whether parents are in a debt restructuring programme.

Healthy Weight at School: four pillars

Through the Healthy Weight at School programme (GGOS), the municipality invests in healthy vegetarian school lunches, more physical activity throughout the day, food education and parental involvement. The participating schools often start with a healthy school lunch and/or food education. The municipality encourages schools to work towards implementing healthy lunches, physical activity, food education and parental involvement. Research shows that it is precisely the combination of these four elements that is effective in promoting healthy eating and physical activity patterns.

2,200 children

In 2023, through the Healthy Weight at School programme, the municipality funded a healthy school lunch and/or food education at six schools—for approximately 850 pupils—with €350,000. In 2024, the municipality is supporting a total of ten schools—approximately 2,200 children—with €755,000.

Schools can tailor the implementation of the pillars to suit their own circumstances. For example, one school may choose a supplier that provides a self-service lunch, while another may opt for a hot meal. For physical activity, two GGOS schools are using the Utrecht Physical Activity Programme. Through this programme, they work with SportUtrecht to map out what is already being done in the area of physical activity and how this can be expanded step by step—in line with the school’s needs and capabilities.

Healthy Weight Utrecht Youth Implementation Programme

Healthy Weight at School is part of the Healthy Weight Utrecht Youth Implementation Programme (GGUJ), which was presented to the council today. This implementation programme demonstrates that Utrecht considers it important to work towards the ambition that children develop and maintain healthy eating and physical activity patterns from birth. The municipality does this by encouraging all Utrecht children to grow up in an environment where healthy eating and sufficient physical activity are promoted, and by providing appropriate support and care to children who are overweight.