Danone, in the company of well-known international rugby player Jacob Stockdale, announced the new and improved Eat Like A Champ programme, designed to champion healthy, sustainable lifestyles in primary schools across Northern Ireland.
Changing Habits
Eat Like A Champ was created by Danone in 2010 to inspire children to adopt healthier eating habits and combat poor nutrition and childhood obesity in the UK. Now, 10 years on, childhood obesity remains a major concern as can be seen in the recent delivery of the UK Obesity Strategy. Figures from the Department of Health in Northern Ireland found that over a quarter (27%) of children aged 2-15 were either overweight (19%) or obese (8%).
Speaking at the launch, Jacob Stockdale said, ”Obesity is one of the great health challenges of our age, and COVID-19 has made this issue even more timely. I am delighted to be supporting Danone and Eat Like a Champ as I believe we can all play a part in helping educate children about healthy eating and how to practice healthy eating in everyday life. Learning about the relationship between our own health and the health of a planet at an early age is key to fostering good habits.”
The updated Eat Like A Champ programme will now also educate children about the climate change and the challenges of our global food system which will largely impact future generations. Children will learn about important topics including food waste, recycling and understanding portions and labelling on food products through readily available resources linked to the school curriculum that can be downloaded and delivered in the classroom.
One Planet. One Health.
Eat Like A Champ illustrates Danone’s mission to bring health through food to as many people as possible and to inspire healthier and more sustainable eating and drinking practices, in line with its One Planet. One Health. vision.
James Bruce, Commercial Director of Danone EDP UK and Ireland said: “At Danone we believe that we all have a role to play in protecting the health of people and our planet and therefore we commit to increasing children’s awareness of the impact of our food systems and their activities to encourage them to adapt to healthier, more sustainable lifestyles.”