Foodfitness – practical advice on healthy eating and active lifestyle

www.foodfitness.org.uk

The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) is the voice of the UK food and drink manufacturing industry. FDF’s foodfitness programme, established in 1996, has a unique dual approach promoting enjoyable healthy eating, coupled with moderate physical activity. The programme is designed to address energy balance and help prevent further increases in obesity in the UK population.

The foodfitness programme has developed in line with current research on healthy eating and physical activity. In the development of the programme, FDF established a panel of experts in nutrition and physical activity to act in an advisory capacity to develop the scientific basis for the messages.

Foodfitness is based on five key messages: Aim for 5 fruit and veg a day   Base meals on starchy foods   Check out more lower fat choices   Be active in your daily life Take pleasure in active leisure

Foodfitness provides practical advice based on simple, positive, science-based messages. The programme is used by teachers, parents, health professionals, health promotion teams, employers, media and consumers of all ages. One challenge for encouraging people to change their eating and activity habits is to convince them that a healthy lifestyle can be an interesting and appealing option. The foodfitness programme encourages participants to Join the Activaters, promoting healthy lifestyle in an innovative and fun way with the aid of two cartoon families – the Activaters and the Dolittles. Their aim is to demonstrate that a healthy lifestyle need not be dull, demanding, extreme or expensive.

Foodfitness provides a full colour, A4 magazine for teachers, health professionals and health promotion teams to help support their own health promotion advice and activities. The foodfitness website provides practical advice on diet and activity and is a useful tool to explore current healthy lifestyle issues and new developments in this area.  
 

Join the Activaters

Promoting Healthy Lifestyle to Primary School Children

During 2003, FDF introduced an interactive education programme to all UK primary schools to promote healthy lifestyle to primary school children. 18% of UK primary schools had requested the resource from FDF. The Join the Activaters CD ROM is designed to be incorporated into the school’s Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) programme. The programme is aimed at 7-9 year olds and has been rated very highly by teachers and parents.

“I am simply delighted with the CD ROM Join the Activaters! We are having a health month in March and I am going to use the CD as a base for much of the work we'll do with the children in their classes.”

Moira Snodgrass, Head Teacher, Strathpeffer School, Ross-shire

“What an excellent resource – easy to use, clear information and lots of fun! The children love using it and have learned a lot to.”

Teresa Christopher, Year 5 Teacher, Penzance Junior School

FDF’s Join the Activaters programme is approved by the Department for Education and Skills (DFES) Curriculum Online service as an effective digital learning resource for teachers. The Design and technology Association (DATA) have endorsed the programme following assessment via their teachers panel. 

Foodfitness resources are available for schools, health professionals and health promotion teams. For further details of the foodfitness programme and to order materials, visit the website: www.foodfitness.org.uk

6 Catherine Street
London WC2B 5JJ
Email: foodfitness@fdf.org.uk
Tel:  020 7420 7128  Fax:  020 7379 0481