Cook Healthy Project
The basic idea of the project is to establish a partnership based on developing and applying the transfer of good practices between schools. It also has an innovative character, which consists of actively involved schools in the long-term process of decreasing obesity and increasing an active lifestyle by implementing the results of the projects in our regions. Two outputs- "Healthy foods and nourishment information for School Canteens/Students" and "Recommendations for improving participation in sports at school" will be produced. We will use existing data, do further research, observe and study in order to create better and effective (usable) ways for students to develop as a healthy generations, who live healthier and practise sports in their daily life.
Our project, involving countries from IT, PT, RO, PL and TR aims to promote students’ awareness of a healthier lifestyle in connection with healthy eating habits and sports activities. The basic idea is to establish a partnership based on developing and applying the transfer of good practices between schools. It also has an innovative character, which consists in actively involving schools in the long-term process of decreasing obesity and increasing an active lifestyle by implementing the results of the projects in our regions. We will use existing data, do further research, observe and study in order to create better and effective (usable) ways for students to develop as a healthy generation practising sports activities on a daily basis.
Obesity is one of the greatest public health challenges of the 21st century. According to the WHO since 1980s, the problem has tripled in many European countries and the numbers of those affected continue to rise at an alarming rate, particularly among children. Apart from causing various physical disabilities and psychological problems, obesity drastically increases a person’s risk of developing a number of communicable diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes. The risk of developing more than one of these diseases (co-morbidity) also increases along with excess body weight.
Studies show that many children become obese due to their unproper eating habits and lifestyle (fast food and lack of exercise). Healthy food and exercise however can be seen as key reasons for a good and balanced life. Matching these findings, it is obvious that teachers must make students understand the concept of a healthy nourishment and daily exercise as soon as possible.
The present needs of all partners reflect the current situation at an European level. We have already started the process of research and each partner school has found the following rates of OBESITY PROBLEM (OP) and LACK OF REGULAR SPORTS (RS)
IT Partner School - 25% of pupils OP, 40% RS
PT Partner School - 20% OP, 45% RS
RO Partner School - 25% OP, 50% RS
PL Partner School - 27% OP, 35% RS
TR Partner School - 20% OP, 35% RS
As it can be seen above, the issuse is serious. Another interesting finding is that most of these students come from families with fewer opportunities. All these physically and financially challenged teenagers will be placed at the center of all the stages of the project implementation.
We intend to organize four L/T/T/Activities with the following subtopics.
PT-C1- HEALTHY FOODS
RO-C2 - EFFECTIVE WAYS TO PREVENT OBESITY
PL-C3 - DEVELOPING LONG-TERM HEALTHY EATING HABITS
TR-C4 - SPORTS ACTIVITIES IN SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT
Every exchange will have one subtopic as agenda to study and organize activities. We will have two coordinator meetings (M1/M2)- one at the beginning and one at the end of the project. They will be held in Italy.
OBJECTIVES
The main objective of the project is to inform students on rules of a safe and proper diet and suggest healthy dishes that can replace so popular but unhealthy fast-food. Also, at an institutional level, we intend to impose a change in the menus of school canteens. If there is no canteen at school, students will be given healthy menus to use at home. Students will create an info-book containing photos, descriptions along with nutritional values of their favourite dishes in accordance with their traditional cuisine.
Other objectives:
- to promote sports as a strategy for being healthy, thus developing a lifelong active lifestyle
- to impose a long-term policy of schools in dealing with the problem of obesity and unhealthy eating habits
- to support social inclusion and prevention of discrimination
- to encourage learning of modern foreign languages
- to develop knowledge among students and teachers of the diversity of European cultures
- to improve pupils' sports and social skills.
This project will be carried out transnationally because we developed a strong synergy among partners. This is our second time we have applied and cooperated to improve the application. We are therefore convinced that we will run a very effective project and will achieve all the objectives and results through the activities we proposed. The students with obesity problems and at he risk of obesity will meet face to face with their peers from other countries, become aware of the similarities and differences between cultures, learn other languages and taste different dishes. All these activities will help them gain a new vision of life and improve their self-awareness as European citizens, improve their communication or social and interpersonal skills. Healthy eating habits and an active lifestyle will be the thread that will unite them in their common endeavour.
