Eat well, be well

The Food Standards Agency have launched some new campaigns recently around what kind of things we should be eating in our diet.

The first is a 'eatwell' plate which is a good guide as to how much of the different food types we should be eating in an average day. To see this larger and read more, click here to visit the Food Standard Agency's website.

This saturated fat advert below is currently running on TV and shows what we could be doing to are arteries if we eat too much of the wrong type of fat over time.

Villa coaches children to health

The popular Villa Vitality initiative is now back, thanks to funding from the Premier League.

The healthy lifestyle scheme is open to all 9 and 10 year olds across Birmingham.

All aspects of learning around diet, nutrition and physical activity are on offer, as well sessions led by Aston Villa’s own community coaches and the chance to professionally film their experience.

The scheme is run through schools and is a three-day initiative that now takes place over a period of six weeks.

Pupils also take part in a classroom session about healthy eating, set themselves healthy lifestyle goals and are presented a certificate at the end of the programme to recognise their achievement.

Aston Villa coaches also visit to the school a few weeks later to see how the project is going, as well as run a further session with the children.

The school also returns to Villa for the cook in the community food academy, where children are able to prepare a healthy and nutritious lunch, and attend the ‘ICE GYM;’ a purpose built gym specifically for children.

Finally, children can film their own healthy lifestyle project in Aston Villa’s film studio.

So far the new style Villa Vitality is proving a big hit with teachers and pupils alike and has even received a visit from Government officials at the Department of Health!

Villa Vitality is a joint project originally created by Heart of Birmingham Teaching PCT in partnership with Aston Villa Football Club. Birmingham East and North PCT and South Birmingham PCT have also now joined the initiative. If you are keen to find out more about Villa Vitality contact the tackling obesity team on 0121 224 4008.

The project is also covered in a community Change4Life video.

Families get free healthy action plan for completing survey

Families are being invited to take part in the largest ever children's health survey which launches today. In return for completing the How Are the Kids survey, families will receive a free personalised action plan, including healthy diet and activity tips as well as a card game featuring the well-recognised characters from the adverts.

If you wish to take part there are a number of ways to get involved:

• Visit the website and complete the survey online



• Fill in the form you receive in the post or find inside a national newspaper or magazine



• Pick up a form from your local school or GP surgery



• If you are already registered on the Change4Life website, you should automatically receive a copy in the post. To register with Change4Life and start receiving free support materials, click here
  

ICE gym launch to tackle obesity

Children in the Birmingham area can now benefit from exercise with a difference, thanks to the new children's ICE gym in Handsworth, which launched today.

The ICE gym is attached to Hamstead Hall Community Learning Centre in Handsworth and makes up the sixth ICE gym available for Birmingham children aged from eight to 16 years old.

It's not just the gym that can be enjoyed but also outdoor pursuits such as orienteering, an assault course, archery and in the future a BMX circuit. The centre offers a unique learning experience for pupils with a taste of the outdoors with a fire pit area where children can learn how to prepare and cook healthy food.

One of the aims behind the scheme is to encourage children to take up sports they may not have had an opportunity to in school PE lessons. The initiative is funded with support from Heart of Birmingham Teaching Primary Care Trust and Birmingham City Council.

More information on the programme can be found by viewing the press coverage below:

BBC Midlands Today

Birmingham Mail

Watch Frank Bruno in Birmingham

The local media also attended the Gym4Free launch with Frank Bruno and, in case you missed it, you can view clips here of the clips of the boxer talking about the scheme, broadcast on 8 Jan 09:

BBC Midlands Today

Birmingham Mail

Frank Bruno launches Gym4Free in Birmingham

Frank Bruno was in town today to launch the Gym4Free scheme - the first Change4Life activity in the area - which will enable residents of the Heart of Birmingham to use the gym for free!

Gym for Free was launched at Handsworth Leisure Centre. The scheme is aimed at people over 16-years-old who live in Heart of Birmingham postcodes. It gives free gym membership, access to swimming pools and fitness classes through your local leisure centre.

Frank officially marked the opening by addressing the public and organisers with encouraging words of support for the scheme. He then jabbed and ducked his way through a combat session together with children from Anderton Park school in Sparkhill, Birmingham.

Upstairs in the gym, Frank endorsed the scheme, saying "Heart disease and obesity is very serious and anything regarding health is good for you.

"The word free - you can't ever hear that word too often. Anything free I would use myself."

To find out more about Gym4Free and see if you may be eligible click here

Advertising hits the streets

This month, as well as advertising being on our TV screens, billboard posters and the like are popping up all over Birmingham. Passers-by will notice they are themed dependent on where they are, such as 'why not get off a stop earlier' on a bus shelter and 'time to start ringing the changes' on a phone box.

Have you seen Change4Life advertising whilst out and about in Birmingham? Send your photos to communications@hobtpct.nhs.uk and we will publish our favourites on this site!