These days, ’modern life’ can mean that we’re a lot less active. With so many opportunities to watch TV or play computer games, and with so much convenience and fast food available, we don’t move about as much, or eat as well as we used to.

Change4Life for your kids

Nine out of 10 of our kids today could grow up with dangerous amounts of fat in their bodies. This can cause life-threatening diseases like cancer, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Change4Life is Public Health England’s response to the relentless rise in obesity. Its consumer campaigns encourage families with children aged 5-11 to eat well, move more and live longer.

At Edlesborough Primary Academy we have lunchtime Change4Life Clubs.

These are a new type of extra-curricular sports club, designed to increase physical activity levels in less active children in primary school by:

• Using multi-sport themes
• Using the inspiration of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
• Responding to what children want.
• Establishing a habit of regular participation.
• Developing a real sense of belonging.
• Changing behaviours relating to key health outcomes (including healthy eating, physical activity and emotional health).

The clubs can give children the skills and confidence to take part in School Games opportunities at Level 1 (intra school) and Level 2 (inter school), and beyond. Change4Life Clubs are having a significant positive effect on the physical activity levels of the young people involved and their attitudes towards being active and healthy. This is contributing to their wellbeing and other aspects of their school and personal life.

The clubs at Edlesborough School, run by Mrs Laird and Mrs Gough, are delivered through creative activities. Children will be able to relate the activities they do and the creative sports skills they develop to the performances they see in the Olympic Games. We hope this will inspire them to achieve their personal best in sport and life.

• Change 4 Life Smart Swaps