Children's centres in campaign for healthy snacks
Katy Morton
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Children's centres are encouraging parents to replace at least one unhealthy snack in their child's diet with a healthy one, under a new campaign in the north-west of England.
Snack Right is an initiative run by ChamMPs, the public health network for Cheshire and Merseyside. It aims to tackle bad eating habits by educating parents and their children about healthier lifestyles. A chart given to each child taking part can help families to monitor their results.
More than 4,000 parents, carers and children have been involved in the campaign so far, with 65 events including games and play held across the region.
One of the centres that took part in the initiative over the summer was Dingle Lane Children's Centre in Liverpool, which staged an event after hearing about the campaign.
Dingle Lane manager Steve Hindley said, 'We had a really good turn-out on the day, with 67 people attending the event.
'Both parents and children enjoyed trying different fruits and playing fruit-related games.'
Mr Hindley, who is continuing to encourage healthy eating at the centre, said, 'Every week we put out a bowl of fruit, which is eaten straightaway, proving that there is a demand.
'However, this is something that will take time, and a lot of effort will have to be put in to ensure that the scheme continues to be a success.'
