In an attempt to combat childhood inactivity, the Barbados Physical Therapy Association has launched an initiative designed to encourage children to become more physically active through fun and engaging activities.
The programme, entitled Project Active, was developed in collaboration with the Heart & Stroke Foundation and the Childhood Obesity Prevention Coalition. It began at St Lucy Primary School, which is the first stop in a planned islandwide school tour.
Speaking at the school, physiotherapist with the Physical Therapy Association, Marita Marshall, said the initiative aimed to promote healthier lifestyles among children, while reinforcing the Ministry of Education Transformation’s existing School Nutrition Policy.
“Today we are having our launch day for Project Active, which is a campaign that we are running in Barbados, going around primary schools to encourage physical activity and exercise in fun ways for kids,” Marshall said. “This is our first school stop, St Lucy Primary School. We’ll be going to two other schools, and we’re hoping to get the whole of Barbados and all children involved by launching an online competition very soon.”
Marshall, who is also the project coordinator, added that Project Active was intended to complement healthy eating initiatives already being promoted in schools by highlighting the importance of physical activity in overall health and wellness.
“We are really trying to support and strengthen the School Nutrition Policy, which is already in place, by letting children, parents, teachers and everybody understand that there is a physical activity component to improving health and wellness and well-being, and also helping children to learn healthy habits,” Marshall said.
The former Combermere School student also expressed concern about the increasing amount of time children spend on electronic devices and said the initiative hoped to show young people that exercise could be an enjoyable alternative.
“We really want to get away from children sitting on their phones playing all day, getting them to understand that exercise and physical activity can be fun, it is good for you, it is healthy,” Marshall said.
The project is expected to continue at Irving Wilson School on June 5 and Blackman and Gollop Primary School on June 25, whilst also featuring at a National Sports Council camp in August. (JC)
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