Getting active on schools’ agenda

With an increasing number of children falling prey to lifestyle-related diseases, a team of doctors, psychologists, and nutritionists have come together to launch the 'Get Active' movement for Mumbai schools.

A national-level movement, active in Delhi since 2006, it is the brainchild of Dr Rachna K Singh, a lifestyle management expert and a homoeopath. The programme was launched by Swashrit, a Delhi-based NGO, with a vision of universalising basic health and education, and promoting awareness and a holistic active lifestyle for children.

“I feel with the rising trend of poor lifestyle — including fatty diets and a sedentary life — there is also a rise in diseases such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and stress even in children. Get Active is a comprehensive programme to combat these ailments,” says Dr Singh, emphasising the need for the movement to reach each and every child in the country.

Though 'Get Active' has been involved with 20 schools in Mumbai since January 2007, it has only just been officially launched — with another 40 schools enrolling in the movement, taking the total count to 60. The schools that have already been running the programme are impressed.

“Get Active has worked very well for our children. The children are motivated to eat healthy foods, and they even encourage their friends to follow suit. It is the children who are taking the initiative,” says Manisha Kupekar, a science teacher from Ryan International School in Kandivili.

With the positive feedback, more schools are gearing up to jump on to the health bandwagon. “It is a very good initiative and we would definitely like to have something like this for our students as well,”says Hema Khedekar, supervisor of Lexicon Global School in Dahisar.
b_ameya@dnaindia.net