Tue, 28 Sep 2004
Get sussed get healthy
Parents struggle to keep their children healthy.Almost half (45%) of parents of children from 0 to 15 years old admit to finding it difficult to work out which foods are healthy for their children, according to new research revealed today by DPP: Developing Patient Partnerships.
Even when parents are able to make healthy choices for their children nearly two thirds (65%) struggle to motivate their children to eat healthily, with 73% finding that advertising and marketing of unhealthy snacks and drinks makes it even more difficult to encourage children to eat healthily.
The findings mark the launch today (28.09.04) of an initiative by DPP working with the National Obesity Forum (NOF), which aims to address the escalating levels of obesity by motivating families to work together to get healthy.
Barriers to encourage children to follow healthier lifestyles clearly exist, however, the research shows that leading by example is a key motivator for both parents and children. 70% of children aged 7-16 years say they would be more likely to eat healthily and get active if their parents were doing it and 68% of parents of 0-15 year olds say they would eat more healthily if it encouraged their children to do it.
The Get Sussed, Get Healthy Family Challenge’ initiative includes a family reward game card which encourages parents and children to compete in teams or individually to achieve 5 key healthy challenges in a week, providing them with information, tips and advice on how to go about each one.
DPP spokesman and GP, Dr David Wrigley commented
"The power of parents to influence their children’s behaviour simply by doing it themselves is clear from these findings. Younger children especially (86% of 7-8 year olds) indicate they would be more likely to follow their parent’s lead on healthy eating and exercise.
In order to get their family on track to a healthy lifestyle parents need support and tools to help them. 68% of parents in our survey say they would welcome more information or advice on how to encourage their children to be healthier. DPP has developed the ‘Get Sussed, Get Healthy Family Challenge’ to offer parents just that. By providing information in a fun format which engages the whole family we hope to encourage more parents and children to get together and see healthier lifestyles as something achievable."
Dr Ian Campbell, National Obesity Forum said
"This kind of support is crucial for parents if we are to see a reduction in the escalating rates of obesity.
A range of factors can contribute to adults and children gaining weight. This means the solution isn’t straightforward. 75% of parents say that more positive messages in the media would make it easier to encourage children to be healthier. Another 87% believe that schools should play a big role in teaching children how to be healthy. Parents, schools, health professionals, the media, food manufacturers and the government all have an important role to play in reducing the risk to children’s lives from obesity. This campaign is an important step in the right direction."
Notes to editors
NOP World surveyed 1013 children aged 7-16 and 756 parents of children aged 0-15 between 6-22 August 2004 in Great Britain. Data was weighted to bring it in line with national profiles.
Other results:
- only 16% of children aged 7-16 eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day
- 49% of children aged 7-16 would be more likely to eat healthily and take part in sporting activities or exercise if celebrities such as David Beckham or Beyonce Knowles encouraged people their age to do it
- when asked which, if any, type of exercise they do on a regular basis 67% of children aged 7-16 said ball games, 59% ride their bike, 53% play in the park with friends and 57% walk to school
- The Get Sussed, Get Healthy Family Challenge reward game card and stickers will be available through DPP member primary care organisations. An online version
- including supporting information for patients can be found at www.sussed.uk.net
Contact DPP: Developing Patient Partnerships; Pam Prentice 020 7383 6144, pprentice@bma.org.uk
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