Across the UK, school children, universities and workplaces will be taking part in the British Nutrition Foundation’s (BNF) Healthy Eating Week 2017, from 12 – 16 June. With three months still to go, 7,500 organisations have already registered, representing a 10% increase on last year’s total.
This year, the theme for BNF Healthy Eating Week is ‘applied learning’ and BNF is encouraging school children to take ownership for their own health by becoming BNF Healthy Eating Week Ambassadors and championing the Week in their own schools and at home.
BNF Healthy Eating Week will focus on building children’s knowledge about healthy eating and wellbeing, being active, food provenance and cooking. Roy Ballam, Managing Director and Head of Education at the British Nutrition Foundation, said: “Positive behaviour change will only be sustained if children, themselves, are motivated to lead healthier lifestyles. We need to equip them with the knowledge and skills to make better choices and, what better way to do this than by giving them the tools and motivation to work together and encourage each other to take ownership of their health. This is why we will be ‘recruiting’ primary and secondary school pupils across the UK to take responsibility for flying the Healthy Eating Week flag in their schools by becoming Ambassadors for the Week.”
Ambassador packs, including badges and ‘job adverts’ for schools to encourage applications for the Ambassador roles will be distributed to schools with complimentary resources to support the Week of activities.
Ballam continued: “Last year’s BNF Healthy Eating Week reached over 3.1 million young people, and we have already beaten that number of registrations this year. Registration is free and only takes a few minutes, and it is a great way to show your support for, and raise the profile of, healthy, active lifestyles. Registrants will also be the first to hear about our exciting plans for this year’s BNF Healthy Eating Week, and will have access to some fantastic, exclusive resources to help plan activities for the Week.”
Registration resources include downloadable food cards, posters, and daily challenges. The challenges are structured into five themes: Have breakfast, 5 A DAY, Drink plenty, Get active and Try something new.
For more information about BNF Healthy Eating Week 2017 and to register your school, please visit: www.healthyeatingweek.org.uk.