Teachers of grades four and five and Physical Education teachers are meeting this week to develop age-appropriate lessons for the Healthy Lifestyle School Intervention Programme.

The programme will be moving into its second year and seeks to emphasise healthy eating, physical education and physical literacy in school-age children by promoting healthy eating and active living.

Coordinator for Health Promotions Services and National Focal Point for Non-Communicable Diseases, Ms. Ivy George stated that there is an increase in the number of children suffering from childhood obesity in the Territory.  She added that the aim is to prevent childhood obesity in school age children, through the implementation of the intervention programme designed to help delay or prevent the onset of obesity and chronic non-communicable diseases. 

The programme is integrated within core subjects of math, science, language and physical education in grades two and three students and will continue to concentrate on nutrition and physical activity.  At its core are the behaviors eating breakfast daily, eating fruits and vegetables, eating a variety of food daily, reducing sugary snacks and drinks and increase physical activity.

The Healthy school intervention programme is a joint effort of the Ministries of Education and Culture and Health and Social Development, along with Caribbean Public Health Association (CARPHA).   

The workshop will run from March 17 to 23 and the main facilitator is Public Health Nutritionist, Ms. Christian Bocage. Ms. Bocage is assisted by Curriculum Coordinator, Mrs.  Prudence  Mathavious; Education Officer, Mrs. Connie George; Project Coordinator, Beverlie Braithwaite;  Assist Principal of the Bregado Flax Educational Centre, Mrs. Heida Joyles Sellwood; and Coordinator  BVI  Olympic Long-Term Athlete Development and Physical Literacy Project, Mrs. Angeleta Bernard.

The Healthy Lifestyle School Intervention Programme is a five year programme that will see the preparation of behavioral lessons for children in pre-primary and primary schools as Government forges towards a healthier Virgin Islands across the lifecycle.