Children Hold Key To Britain's Future Health

Main Category: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 09 Mar 2005 - 10:00 PDT

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Teaching children to eat well and encouraging them to exercise is vital if Britain is to become a healthier and fitter nation UK Health Secretary John Reid said today at the publication of 'Delivering Choosing Health'.

The delivery plan sets out how the commitments made in the Public Health White Paper will translate into practical benefits for local communities. Last month we announced an extra half a billion pounds for Primary Care Trusts to help them promote health in their areas.

The plans include a range of actions to help children make healthier choices. Children, with support from parents and health workers, will draw up personal health plans for life setting out how they will apply tips about eating the right kind of food and how often they should exercise. Community matrons will play a key role in supporting children to help them lead healthier lifestyles. Schools will also begin piloting the use of pedometers to encourage kids to think about the amount of exercise they take.

Speaking at the launch of Clubs That Count, a new Business in the Community scheme to encourage children to exercise, at Charlton Athletic Football Club, Health Secretary, John Reid said:

"Our Public Health White Paper set out a plan of action to help people make healthier choices and prevent ill health caused by poor diet and lack of exercise. Today we've published a plan of action which sets out how that vision translates into action and make a difference to local communities.

"We know how important it is to make sure healthy habits start young. That's why we are taking a range of actions to get kids involved in making healthier choices about the food they eat and how much exercise they take. This is not a job for government alone. For example, football clubs can help make the Public Health White Paper work in practice by encouraging kids to take exercise by making it fun".

England Head Coach, Sven Goran Erikson said:

"Football has the power to help young people by communicating messages about healthy living and the dangers of drugs and smoking. More and more children are getting the opportunity to be active, develop new skills, feel good about themselves and lead healthier lives."

Primary Care Trusts will work with voluntary organisations to set local targets for health improvements in their area. The Department of Health will publish six monthly reports on the nation's health so that we can track the progress that is being made on the ground.

Notes to Editors:

1. Copies of 'Delivering Choosing Health' can be found at http://www.dh.gov.uk. The document also contains more detailed plans for food and health and physical activity.

2. Business in the Community is a unique movement of over 750 member companies, with a further 2000 plus engaged throughout our programmes and campaigns. They operate through a local network of more than 100 business led partnerships and 60 global partners. The concept of Clubs that Count harnesses the unique power of football to reach out to society and the relevance of football as an ambassador for health, physical activity and social cohesion. Charlton Athletic, and Burnley FC who were winners in Business in the Community's Healthy Communities Award in 2004 are just two of the clubs already measuring their community impact.

3. Charlton Athletic connects with over 360,000 people through community activities. They use the high profile of football and sport to engage people in learning, to encourage people to lead healthier lives, reduce crime, tackle racism, and provide employment opportunities. Programmes that they run include Kickstart for Health, Education at your Feet (Numeracy), Kick in to Reading (Literacy), Road & Rail Safety.

4. Media enquiries only to Vicky Wyatt on 020 7210 5656, Kate Evans on 020 7210 5623 and Sophie Coppel on 020 7210 5707.

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Issued by : DOH Press Office

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