What is the Healthy Kid5 Pack?

Overweight and obesity in childhood is increasing and this is a major public health issue
facing the UK today.
- The consequences of overweight and obesity in childhood are wide ranging including an increased risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, heart problems,
poor self-esteem, disordered eating, bulimia, body dissatisfaction and depression.
- Prevalence of obesity is at its highest in children aged 8-10 years.
- A greater proportion of boys than girls aged 2 to 10 years are overweight and obese.
- Overweight children are more likely to become overweight or obese adults.

The National Child Measurement Programme was launched in 2006 as part of the Government’s programme to tackle the continuing rise in childhood obesity. This involves measuring the height and weight of all reception and Year 6 children (with parental consent).

We saw an opportunity for health promotion activities with Year 6 children to be part of the local South Staffordshire PCT Child Measurement Programme. Hence the development of the ‘Over 5’s’ section of the ‘Healthy Kid5’ Pack

We then looked to extend the pack to cover ‘Under 5’s’ and school reception given that these years are an important time of influence and when eating and activity habits are being established.

The ‘Healthy Kid5’ Pack is designed to be both a reference source and a practical guide for health and community workers (and children and their parents!) across South Staffordshire. It is hoped it will support children and their parents receive accurate, up-to-date and consistent advice on food, nutrition.

‘Healthy Kid5’ supports the key messages of the Government’s Change 4 Life campaign – ‘Eat Well, Move More and Live Longer’.
‘Healthy Kid5’ is listed as an example of local good practice in the ‘Staffordshire Child Healthy Weight’ Framework (2009).

What does the ‘Healthy Kid5’ Pack contain?

A wide variety of ideas for fun and interactive ‘events’ and some supporting information for children and parents – including:

-‘Cook and Eat’ session plans
- Year 6 Education session plans
- Examples of songs and rhymes with a food and health theme.
- Examples of food and health ‘art and craft’ activities.
- Sample certificate of attendance
- Examples of messy food play ideas

How should I use the ‘Healthy Kid5’ Pack?

You can use the ‘Healthy Kid5’ Pack in a variety of ways including:

- In a classroom
- One-to-one health entrants assessment
- Small group education sessions or short programmes.
- Health promotion events or displays
- Nursery activities or events
- Children’s Centre activities or events

These are just a few ideas!!