How are the kids?
Change4Life launches largest ever children’s health survey
The biggest health survey of children’s health – ‘How
Are the Kids?’ was launched last month with millions of families in
England being asked to give information about their eating and activity habits.
In return they will receive a specially tailored plan to help them eat well,
move more and live longer.
It’s a well known fact that, without intervention, nine out of ten
children could be overweight or obese by 2050 if current trends continue.
At present, almost a third of 10 and 11-year-olds are overweight or obese.
Around 11 million surveys are being sent out, which will include:
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7.5 million will be door dropped to families with young children across
England or through inserts in national press and magazines;
- at least 2 million will be distributed via the School Fruit and Veg Scheme;
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350,000 through the Healthy Start mailings – mums will get them
with their monthly vouchers;
- doctors’ surgeries will receive around 120,000;
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around 20,000 will be mailed to people who have already registered via
the Change4Life website;
- families will also be able to complete the survey online.
Mums and dads have been asked to complete the quick survey – and
in return they will get an action plan, tailored specifically for their family,
full of hints and tips on how to get their children to be more healthy. The
plan will include healthy diet and activity tips, as well as a card game
for children featuring characters from the popular Change4Life TV ad.
New Change4Life TV ads have been air from Saturday 31 January to publicise
the survey. This is the latest initiative in the Change4Life campaign, which
was launched on 3 January. The aim of the campaign is to kickstart a lifestyle
revolution for every family in order to halt the rising tide of obesity.
Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo said:
“Families who take part in this survey and tell us about their eating
and exercise habits will be sent a unique health plan by our experts to help
them eat well, move more and live longer.
“This is part of the Change4Life campaign which is supporting and
informing families about healthier choices for their children - our future
generations. Visit www.nhs.uk/change4life to
take part.”
Surveys will also be distributed in towns around the UK where there will
be games for parents to play with their children and healthy juice bars
Notes to editors
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Anyone who wants to complete a survey and get involved with Change4Life
should visit www.nhs.uk/change4life
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Change4Life is an ambitious new advertising campaign that will help mums,
dads and families eat well, move more and live longer launched on 3 January
2009. The aim of the campaign is to kickstart a lifestyle revolution for
every family in order to halt the rising tide of obesity.
Under the banner Change4Life, the Government is galvanising support from
everyone in the country from grass roots organisations to leading supermarkets
and charities.
The campaign will help families to understand the harm that fat can cause
to their children’s health. It warns that a bad diet and inactive
lifestyle can lead to cancer, heart disease and diabetes.
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Healthy Weight, Health Lives: A Cross-Government Strategy for England
can be found at www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_082378
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The surveys will also be conducted through face to face marketing at
key towns across the country. Towns that will be visited include: Newcastle,
Birmingham, Wolstanton, Tunstall, Cannock, Birmingham, Beckton, Derby, Bristol,
Gloucester, Margate, Exeter, Plymouth and Leicester.