SmallSteps4Life could mean a giant leap for child health

A new website using the Olympic Games as inspiration has been launched to help children take some small steps forward in achieving a healthy lifestyle.   Double Olympic gold medallist James Cracknell recently helped the Food Standards Agency launch SmallSteps4Life – an interactive website set up to motivate young people to take simple steps towards improving their health and well-being, inside and outside the classroom. 09-03-2010

Using the Olympics to inspire young people to make long-term behaviour changes, SmallSteps4Life is leading the healthy and active lifestyles strand of Get Set, the London 2012 education programme. It also supports the Change4Life programme.  SmallSteps4Life encourages young people to set themselves challenges, relating to the themes of eating well, getting active and feeling good – these could include eating a healthy breakfast every day, walking to and from school, or just getting more sleep.  The website also gives primary and secondary schools the opportunity to post their own challenges, play games and take part in quizzes. Teachers can share their schools’ successes and nominate individuals or groups as SmallSteps4Life ‘champions’.  A pilot project in Kent schools showed that positive behaviour changes encouraged by the project were sustained after it had formally ended.  Launching the project at the Olympic Park, within sight of the new stadium in Stratford, East London, James Cracknell said: ‘I am proud to help launch this unique project that addresses well-being in a way that is fun and meaningful for young people. I look forward to seeing the kind of creative challenge ideas that young minds come up with when they are shared on the website.’  Gill Fine, Director of Consumer Choice and Dietary Health at the FSA, said that the children in the pilot project felt ‘fitter, healthier, and more positive, but most importantly, they had fun!’  James Cracknell is a Sustainability Ambassador for the 2012 Olympics Games. Inclusion and healthy living are key themes, inspiring people across the country to take up sport and develop active, healthy and sustainable lifestyles.  With thanks to the Food Standards Agency.  For further information go to:
http://smallsteps4life.direct.gov.uk/