“Research has shown that the first 10 years of a child’s life lay the crucial foundations for attitudes and habits that impact their physical and mental health as adults,” Kim Harvey, founder of the Young and Healthy Trust.
It’s no secret that despite our clean, green image and myriad of sporting successes New Zealand’s children are far from the healthiest they can be.
UNICEF’s latest The State of the World’s Children report ranked us second-worst in the OECD for childhood obesity, with 39 per cent of our 5 – 19 year olds overweight or obese rating us just behind the United States.
Zespri give Asics shoes to kids at Rata St School, Naenae. Photo copyright Mark Coote/markcoote.com
One Kiwi mum set out to make a real difference for kids across the country and her vision has since grown into a program that supports 20,000 children every year, from the far north to the deep south – without any government support.
Applications are now open for the 2021 Zespri Young and Healthy Virtual, a health and wellbeing in schools program that cleverly turns kids’ screen obsession into a positive, instilling healthy habits while rewarding them with a virtual trip around the globe.
Last year 20,000 kids completed the program with incredible outcomes for the kids including halving junk food intake, drinking more water and reducing leisure screen time by 71 per cent.
The 2021 adventure is set to be just as successful and will see tamariki virtually visit global destinations like Japan and Peru alongside New Zealand sporting legends and ASICS ambassadors Ardie Savea, Ameliaranne Ekenasio, Kane Williamson and Samantha Charlton.
Students earn points through completing real-world habits like moving more, drinking water, eating healthy food and getting more sleep.
Classes work together as a team to earn points, and to help them move around the global course. At each destination, they will be met by one of the sporting heroes who will show them around and share some interesting local history and geography.
The program is perfectly designed for today’s tech native kids, each child designs their own unique virtual avatar so they can see themselves travel alongside their friends and the sporting greats.
“We must find ways to cleverly engage our tamariki so they understand how the choices they make impact how they feel and function, giving them the power to make the best choices they can every day, for long term health success.
“The feedback from teachers has been outstanding and even better, kids have told us that they feel great during the program and have more energy to learn – and it’s even encouraging their teachers and parents to also adopt more healthy habits,” says Kim.
Beyond health and wellbeing, teachers have embedded elements of the adventure across the curriculum to support maths, literacy and geography and have noted improved concentration and teamwork in the children.
Kim has single-handedly built the program thanks to sponsors and this year, for the second time, Zespri has come onboard as chief sponsor and CEO Dan Mathieson is excited to see what 2021 brings.
“We’re really proud to support the adventure as we know it brings positive benefits to the lives of thousands of New Zealanders, helping ensure happier, healthy young people and communities.
“It’s really important we invest in the wellbeing of our people and communities to help them thrive. The Zespri Young and Healthy Virtual Adventure makes a real difference by teaching children the importance of eating well and exercising, as well as caring for their mental health and our environment,” says Dan.
