Assignment 2 - Article 2

What’s in a Vegetable?

Getting your five a day is essential to a healthy diet and lifestyle. School dinners have especially changed since new health guidelines have restricted what schools provide for children.

Nutritionist Nicola Lowe explains why a balanced diet is important and what is necessary in a healthy meal.

She said: “Having your five a day is a government initiative and awareness of healthy eating. It is a way of spreading the message that people should be getting the correct balance of nutrients in their diet”.

A balance meal should consist of the three prominent nutrients your body needs. Nicola explains: “A healthy meal should have between 55-60% carbohydrates, 30-35% fats and 10-15% proteins”.

She adds: “Fruit and vegetables are rich in vitamins and minerals which are important for growth and repair, for example calcium builds strong bones”.

Children at school should be getting a healthy dinner. Nicola out lines an average healthy meal: “You need proteins like, lean meat or fish, if your vegetarian pulses such as beans, lentils and dairy products”.

“A diet should also include carbohydrates such as potatoes, rice and vegetables. Fats are important as well, but in limited amounts”.

Some schools today do not give children the option of sweets, crisps, chocolates or fizzy drinks as guidelines have advised to not have these items in schools. Many schools have also removed vending machines.

Nicola agrees that sandwiches and Baguette’s including a filling of chicken, cheese, salad, eggs or tuna is “fantastic” as it provides children with essential proteins.

The map shows three primary and secondary schools in Preston with a short description of what’s on offer in their canteens.


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Assignment 2 - Article 1

Big Kid!

Childhood obesity has become such a big issue in today’s society. Part of the problem is junk food and under active children, but there are now many sports centres that deal with over weight children.

Preston Sports Development works closely with NHS Central Lancashire to ensure physical activity is high on everyone's agenda. They are an established sports club which strive to help parents and children to get active!

Kerry Cross, Senior Physical Activity Development Officer, who works on the schemes, is responsible for planning physical activity across Preston.

They have six major schemes which deal with encouraging children aged 7-13 and parents to participate in sports, these are:

• GP Exercise Referral Schemes such as Exercise Your Options and Balance for Life


• Phase III and Phase IV Cardiac Rehabilitation


• Pathways to Sport


• Communities for Health programme


• NHS Life check


• Mini MEND and MEND -Mind, Exercise, Nutrition Do It! - A childhood obesity course (For information on MEND visit here).

Tackling Obesity

As one of their main aims is to tackle childhood obesity they offer a scheme called Preston Get Active.

The scheme assesses year 6 children on nutritional status, health, fitness and physical activity. They carry out questionnaires, fitness tests, a school nurse is sent and fun activity sessions are organised for selected primary schools.

After, full assessments they decide which areas in Preston need the most help and work together with schools to make changes for these children.

The MEND programme is a social enterprise which was established in 2004. It is designed specifically to target childhood obesity levels across the country.

Kerry believes that: “MEND empowers families to build a foundation for healthy living for life!”

It was developed at Great Ormond Street Hospital and the Institute of Child Health, at the University College London. The course is now available in more than 250 community locations nationwide and is completely free of charge to participate.

The idea is to combine practical, fun learning about healthy eating and behaviour modification techniques to boost self confidence.

She explains: “Children who take part have positive changes in body shape, reducing waistlines and achieve a healthier weight for their age and height. This result is not only in them being healthier and fitter but also gaining self esteem and confidence”.

Preston try’s MEND!

Preston’s centre is in the process of starting an 18 month trial of the Mini MEND programme.
Kerry says: “It’s about having FUN not necessarily specific advice. Try something new. It’s just as much about getting parents active with children”.

She adds: “For most people giving out health messages and physical activity doesn't always work. It depends on the target group, for older adults it might be more about making everyday tasks easier”.

This video from YouTube, explains the dangers of childhood obesity in America. Lets stop Britain getting like this!