Since its launching in February 2006, the Be Active and Eat Smart programme has been progressing successively. However, it needs more support from local stakeholders to ensure its sustainability.

This was expressed by the programme’s Medical Advisor, Dr Sook Yin, during a gathering at the Grand Old House on Wednesday, 17 January 2007. The attendants were joined by the heads of Generali Worldwide from the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Be Active and Eat Smart is a children’s fitness and healthy eating program initiated by Generali Worldwide Health Insurance in cooperation with local schools, parents, community leaders and health professionals.

The programme teaches children (mainly between the ages of 7 and 12) the importance of exercise and nutrition so they make healthier eating and activity choices.

Currently, the only four schools involved in the programme are St Ignatius Catholic School, Savannah Primary, John A Cumber and First Baptist Christian School.

The initiators are therefore seeking sponsors to adopt a school so that more students can get involved and reap the benefits of this programme.

According to Dr Yin, education has changed its course to being more academic but the Be active and Eat Smart programme can help develop students into becoming well-rounded individuals. “We have to teach the students healthy habits,” she said.

She disclosed that people are now having surgery to reduce obesity and this costs up to US$10,000.
“In 2004, 350 children between the ages of 12 and 17 had this surgery,” she announced.

The various school representatives present at the function were given the opportunity to talk about how they have incorporated the programme.

Lorna Blackman, Principal of Savannah Primary stated that her school took part in a number of sporting activities such as skipping, aerobics, ‘ball in the bucket’, banana and apple eating to promote the programme. According to her, the parents have been very supportive. “During our first activity, 60 parents participated and during our second, over a 100 showed up,” she said gladly.

The principal also said that the school has been educating students about eating right.

Meanwhile, Wallis Wyke, Literacy Coordinator of Savannah Primary announced that the school is looking at making literacy part of the Be Active and Eat Smart Programme.

Jennifer Paul- O’Donnell, Principal of St Ignatius Catholic School, said that ‘be-active’ days are planned at the school to encourage more students to get involved.  “It’s exciting, kids like it and they still talk about the day I skipped,” she laughed.

Principal of First Baptist Christian School (FBCS), Linda Cross indicated that she is very keen about the programme, having been personally involved in Physical Education. She noted that some improvements have been made in terms of students’ attitudes at the school.

Physical Education teacher at FBCS, Claire Hughes added that school is very strict in terms of the type of snacks allowed. “The students are not to drink sodas at the school,” she said.  FBCS will be expanding on its nutrition programme, as well as incorporate other activities such as windsurfing and sailing.

Mrs Cross announced that the school will be integrating the programme completely and make it part of its curriculum.

Principal of John A Cumber, Dewayne Bennette, stated that the school has included nutrition in its programme and will be selling water in an effort to encourage the students to drink more water.

Production Manager of Progressive Distributors Ltd, Maureen Cubbon indicated the programme will lead the students to make better choices about eating and exercising, although it won’t happen overnight. She confessed that she herself has been inspired by the programme to be more active.

Head of Generali based in England, Ian Robinson, closed the event by stating that the Be Active and Eat Smart Programme aims to send out three key messages – activity is fun, activity is for all and activity is healthy.