Commenting at the launch, David Evennett said "I am delighted to support this programme, as I firmly believe that young people need greater access to sports and exercise facilities in the community. Given that a million children in the UK are doing less than two hours of physical exercise a week and obesity rates are rising amongst young people, it is absolutely essential that we look at ways of increasing participation in sport and exercise, as well as providing better information on nutrition. Changes is offering a welcome solution".
The initiative, which was developed by the owner of Changes Julia Harris, enhances the club's existing involvement in the government funded go programme - an nationwide activity-led programme developed specifically for teenage girls by the industry body, the Fitness Industry Association (FIA) - to include Health Awareness following conversations with participating students.
"I knew that activity levels dropped off enormously amongst teenage girls and, as a fitness professional, I know how important it is never to lose that activity habit: this is why I was keen to get involved in the FIA's go programme" commented Julia Harris. "But it wasn't until I started talking to the girls that I realised how little they really knew about food, nutrition and broader health and wellbeing issues.
"I was horrified when I found out that almost 90% of the girls had a fast food meal at least twice in the previous week and only about 30% had breakfast before going to school. These are frightening facts and I feel very strongly that people like me have a duty to help bridge the gap between the government's multi-million pound Change 4 Life campaign and kids on the streets."
Email henry@fia.org.uk
