Other projects | Eat slowly and well & move as well

Eat slowly and well & move as well

With the aim of preventing excess weight in 1st cycle school children (1st to 4th grades), this programme promotes a set of activities to motivate the adoption of healthy lifestyles.

The prevalence of childhood obesity is the epidemic of the 21st century. In 2010, approximately 43 million children were overweight and 92 million were at risk of being overweight. It is estimated that, by 2020, 60 million children will have excess weight, worldwide.

In Portugal, 35.6% of children aged 6 to 9 had excess weight, including 14.6% who were obese (2010).

Eating habits are acquired in the first stages of life. Therefore, it is essential to introduce a healthy eating pattern from early on.

For this reason, Northern Lisbon ACES (Health Centers Groups) school health team has developed the “Eat slowly and well & move as well” project, in collaboration with the Directorate-General of Health (DGS).

This project, established in the 2012/2013 school year, aims to prevent excess weight in Primary School children by promoting a set of healthy eating and physical activity habits.

Its target population are Primary School children attending Northern Lisbon schools, namely:

  • Sete Rios – Externato Educação Popular
  • Benfica – José Salvado Sampaio Primary School
  • Alvalade – Santo António Primary School
  • Lumiar – Galinheiras’ Primary School
  • Coração de Jesus – São Sebastião da Pedreira Primary School

This project has different stages:

  • Data collection, analysis and treatment;
  • Awareness activities;
  • Activities prepared by the students;
  • Second evaluation of children nutrition status – activity evaluation;
  • Nutritional counselling for children with excess weight;

In each school grade, a different topic will be discussed:

1st grade – The importance of breakfast/snacks and exercise

2nd grade – The importance of drinking water, eating fruits and vegetables and exercise

3rd grade – The importance of eating soup and exercise

4th grade – The importance of interpreting nutritional labels and exercise

This project is a collaboration between Northern Lisbon ACES Schools (Lumiar, Alvalade, Sete Rios, Benfica e Coração de Jesus), Northern Lisbon ACES school health team and DGS.