The Healthy Lifestyles School Intervention programme will be launched this week following three weeks of baseline data collection in the Territory’s primary schools.

Coordinator for Health Promotion Services and National Focal Point for Non Communicable Diseases Ms. Ivy George said the process was time consuming but it was important because it provided vital information in the area of knowledge, physical assessments as well as fitness level of students.

Ms. George said, “We would like to thank everyone who gave of their time to ensure that the relevant information was captured.  A special thanks to the team which comprised of retired nurses, nurses from the BVI Health Services Authority, Physical Education teachers and the staff of the Public Health Unit of the Ministry of Health and Social Development. We also want to say thank you to the Principals for their cooperation in facilitating the process and parents for their support.”

The Healthy Lifestyles School Intervention programme seeks to improve the health and academic performance of students by improving the diet and physical activity.

Education Officer in the Ministry of Education and Culture, Ms. Beverlie Braithwaite stated that she looks forward to a successful implementation of the programme. “We hope that as a result of this intervention, students will perform well in school,” Ms. Braithwaite said, adding, “We hope to see students who are health conscious and homes where health is foremost in their minds. We also want to see students eating healthier and being more active which will result in a healthier youth population and a healthier Virgin Islands in the long run.”

 The Healthy Lifestyle School Intervention programme will be integrated within core subjects of math, science, language and physical education and will concentrate primarily on nutrition and physical activity.

Parents were also encouraged to learn more about the programme and support the intervention by assisting their children with the five behavioral changes of eating a  variety of foods, eating breakfast daily, eating fruits and vegetables, reducing daily intake of fats, salts, and sugary snacks and drinks and engaging in a variety of physical activity.

The Healthy Lifestyle School Intervention Programme is designed to promote healthy eating and active living through nutrition and physical activity. The programme also supports school-wide promotional activities and supportive school, community and home environments.