June 2007

Footy star gives tips to preschoolers on healthy living

Health Minister Bronwyn Pike and Essendon Football Club captain Matthew Lloyd launched the Kids—‘Go for your life’ resource kit during a visit to the Isabel Henderson Kindergarten in North Fitzroy.

The kindergarten was among the first early childhood services to join the Kids—‘Go for your life’ program to encourage physical activity and healthy eating in children.

The new resource kit provides primary schools and early childhood services with a comprehensive and simple guide to creating a healthier environment for children.

Matthew Lloyd, who is a Kids—‘Go for your life’ ambassador, talked to the preschoolers about the importance of eating fruit and vegetables and drinking water.

‘Being physically active is not only good for you, it can also be fun,’ Matthew said.

‘You don’t have to play organised sport to stay healthy—walking, running or cycling are also great ways to keep active.

‘As a kid I remember spending most of my spare time playing games outside with my friends.

‘It’s much more fun than sitting in front of a television,’ Matthew said.

More than 500 Victorian primary schools and early childhood services are participating in the first stage of the Kids—‘Go for your life’ Award Program, launched in October 2005.

Ms Pike applauded the schools that are already part of the program, that aims to establish healthy habits from an early age.

 ‘Many children may face some health challenges as they get older because 25 per cent of Victorian school students are overweight or obese and this number is growing by one per cent each year.

‘If we do nothing, too many children will face increasing rates of type two diabetes, heart disease, stroke, some cancers and reduced life expectancy.’

The Kids—‘Go for your life’ program is a Victorian Government initiative and is managed by Diabetes Australia—Victoria and The Cancer Council Victoria.

The program encourages children to drink more water, eat more fruit and vegetables and switch off the television and computer games and become more active.