The Island’s NHS Chief Executive, Karen Baker, is encouraging all Island families to take the fresh start presented by the new school year as an opportunity to establish healthier habits – such as walking to school, incorporating short bursts of extra activity into the day, and making sure children eat a healthy lunch at school – in order to get parents and children moving more and eating more healthily.
Families tell researchers that they sometimes slip into unhealthier habits during the summer holidays, such as spending too much time in front of the TV or computer, or indulging in too many treats. Families who sign up to ‘Smart Restart’ will be supported through a six-week engagement and incentive programme to help them to stick to their chosen healthy change all the way through to half term. You can sign up at www.nhs.uk/Change4Life.
Speaking at the Isle of Wight NHS Trust Board Meeting on 28th August, Karen said:
“The new school year is an opportunity for families to press the restart button and choose and sustain healthier habits for the year ahead. People are much more likely to establish a healthy new routine if they make one small change at a time. The ‘Smart Restart’ programme, part of Change 4 Life, makes this simple, fun and easy to achieve.
“It’s possible to have a lot of fun and support good causes at the same time as well. This weekend I’m taking part in the Solent Swim to raise funds for West Wight Sports Centre. Not only am I keeping my self fit but I’m also helping the sports centre help others to do the same.”
Anyone wishing to sponsor Karen’s Solent Swim can do so by visiting https://www.everyclick.com/karenbaker.
‘Smart Restart’ is backed by a broad range of Change4Life partners, including retailers Asda and Aldi; the leisure sector’s representative body UK Active; Unilever’s low-fat spread Flora; and Disney, which is providing content for the children’s microsite and a range of free activities to reward families once their ‘Smart Restart’ changes are achieved.
Advice for parents who are worried about their child’s weight can be found on the NHS Choices website at www.nhs.uk/change4life.
