Jaëla Goossens, JOGG sports coordinator and sports and physical activity coordinator at Fitfabriek in Bergen op Zoom, explains the reason behind the initiative on LinkedIn: “Did you know that babies and toddlers generally eat healthily, but that this declines after the age of four? Research by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, RIVM and CBS shows that healthy eating habits decrease from this age onwards, reaching a low point during the teenage years. I took up this signal together with Robin Sjerp, JOGG sports coordinator for sports, clubs & communications at Sportbedrijf Bergen op Zoom.”
The duo developed the Starttrommel together with the health and sports policy officer of the Lowys Porquin Foundation (a partnership of 31 primary schools and various childcare locations in the region) and Merel Hoosemans, Prevention and Health Adviser at GGD West-Brabant.
About the Starttrommel
The Starttrommel is a new intervention for four-year-olds starting primary school. When children are 3 years and 7 months old and visit the child health clinic, their parents or guardians receive a Starttrommel. This box contains valuable information for a healthy start at primary school, such as tips for a healthy snack and lunchbox. It also includes an accompanying letter with a QR code linking to the brochure 'Trommel zonder Rommel'.
With this initiative, Jaëla Goossens and Robin Sjerp aim to inform and inspire parents to make healthy choices for their children. At the same time, they want to give JOGG a visible platform within Bergen op Zoom.