HEALTHY AND ACTIVE SCHOOL COMMUNITIES

The Commonwealth Government will send two resource kits to every school to assist them in encouraging students to eat well and be physically active. The resource kits, one containing Australia’s Physical Activity Recommendations for Children and Young People and the other with best practice examples of school-based physical activity and healthy eating programs, will be received by the principals of primary and secondary schools from next week. Almost one in five children in Australia is now overweight or obese. This is an increasing threat to our nation’s health. Schools can assist young people to develop healthy and active life skills. The Commonwealth and state and territory governments have been working together on initiatives to combat obesity. There is now national legislation to ensure that all schools include at least two hours of physical activity each week for primary and junior secondary students. Schools will also receive a reminder about grants of $1500, which are available until 1 December 2005 for activities that encourage healthy eating. A grant kit was sent to all schools in 2004, under the Healthy School Communities program, as part of the Prime Minister’s $116 million initiative to address overweight and obesity. So far, over 500 grants totalling more than $760,000 have been made for projects including breakfast programs, creating vegetable gardens, healthy cooking classes and health food expos. The grant application form is also available from www.healthyactive.gov.au Media contact: Kate Miranda 0417 425 227