Throughout Europe, food and drink manufacturers are committed to promoting improved public education in the areas of diet, nutrition, physical activity and healthy lifestyles in general. The range of educational activities extends from the most basic - how different foods fit into a balanced diet - to advanced nutrition education for doctors.

In addition to externally oriented nutrition and physical activity education and promotion initiatives, several companies have developed programmes to encourage their employees to stay fit and eat well by providing them with exercise opportunities and information on maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

The Hungarian DPAH Platform (called TÉT Platform in Hungarian) has developed a program for elementary schools that helps teachers to educate children on healthy lifestyle. The material includes a Powerpoint presentation teachers’ guide, and a few worksheets. There are three parts to the program: one for children between the age of 6-10, one for children between the age 10-14 and an additional guide for their parents.

The program is absolutely free, and easily downloadable from the web site of the Platform. It is already used by around 350 schools and the number of users is growing every week.

Read more »

The UK Food and Drink Federation (FDF) runs a consumer information campaign on healthy lifestyles called FOODFITNESS. Established in 1996, it combines the promotion of enjoyable, healthy eating with increased moderate physical activity.

The five key messages of FOODFITNESS are simple, positive and non-judgemental. The initiative is based on the philosophy that a healthy lifestyle is fun, easily achievable and affordable. As part of this initiative, FDF launched a CD-ROM targeting primary school children called Join the Activaters. This is an interactive education programme for primary school children aged 7 to 9.

Balancing a healthy diet and being more physically active are increasingly important for young children, and Join the Activaters uniquely combines these two elements into one programme.

Read more »

Bon Appetit La Sante is an educational game developed by Danone in Belgium, in collaboration with teachers, paediatricians and nutritionists under the supervision of the Belgian Association of Paediatricians. The objective of the game is to teach schoolchildren the basic principles of a healthy diet.

Originally created in 2004, the game helps children to identify food families, and educates on the right food choices and habits. Each year, it is updated and sent for free to the schools that are interested.

Results:

• 98% of schools in Belgium are playing the game (4,300 schools are participating)
• Surveys show an increase of 23% in the number of children aware of a healthy diet
• 19% indicated that they eat more healthily after playing the game
• A survey conducted in 2005 showed that the daily consumption of fruit and  vegetables increased by 12% after kids played the game

Read more »

In 2000 Nestlé Portugal launched a 10-year nutrition education programme, Nestlé APETECE-ME - aimed at children aged 6 to 12. The programme promotes the idea that nutrition and physical activity can and should be associated with pleasure and feeling good. The main theme of the programme is teaching the importance of a balanced and varied diet coupled with physical activity.

First implemented in 67 pilot schools and endorsed by the Ministry of Education, it  had reached more than 1,300 primary and secondary schools by 2006, including more than 13,000 teachers and 230,000 students. 96% of the teachers in the primary schools state that the APETECE-ME programme has contributed to a change in behaviour among the children, including increasing their knowledge of the importance of good eating habits.

Read more »

“Fit am Ball - Der Schul-Cup von funny-frisch” (fit on the ball - the funny-frisch school cup) is Germany’s largest physical exercise development programme for the prevention of obesity in children and adolescents aged 8 to 12. This public-private partnership is organised by the German Sports University, Cologne, and is third-party financed by Intersnack, a German savoury snack manufacturer, in cooperation with the Central Marketing Association of the German Agricultural Industry (CMA).

The programme uses weekly sports clubs, lessons, in-school events and teaching materials to educate children about healthy eating and ways to get more physical exercise. Since its start in 2003, approximately 35,000 children from over 1,000 German schools have participated. In 2007 the programme was extended to Austria.

Read more »

Kraft Foods’ work in communities is focused on helping children develop lifelong healthy habits. It runs programmes in all countries in the EU, including actively supporting Shape Up, a three-year collaborative programme that aims to help address childhood obesity in cities in 25 European Member States.

In the UK, Kraft’s Health 4 Schools programme is designed to improve children’s knowledge and shift behaviour concerning diet and active play. Health 4 Schools educates 6 to 11 year-olds about growing food, planning and cooking healthy meals, appreciating the benefits of breakfast and regularly engaging in physical activity. The award-winning, sustainable programme is currently under way in 75 Gloucestershire schools, which each benefit from resources and funding totalling over €7,000. Other schools can pick up tips and best practice via the programme’s interactive website, and Kraft is in discussions about extending the programme to other areas of the UK.

Average results from schools participating in Phases 1 and 2:

• 96% have made plans to sustain activities
• 93.5% have seen a behavior change around healthy living
• 91.5% reported improved pupil awareness of healthy lifestyles

Read more »

Since 1994, the Association of Estonian Food Industry has organised an annual competition for “Best Food Product” to encourage the development of products contributing to balanced diet and healthy nutrition habits. Publicity surrounding the winning products, helps draw people’s attention to healthy food choices.

The winner of Estonia’s “Best Health Food” category in 2006 was Aura’s apple-sallowthorn nectar.

Read more »