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Physical Activity
An active lifestyle is key to improving and maintaining health. However, three in ten boys and four in ten girls, aged 2-15, are not meeting the recommended levels of physical activity. Increasingly, activity levels will contribute to the prevention and management of conditions such as coronary heart disease, diabetes, cancer, obesity and mental health issues. Encouraging increased levels of physical activity in disadvantaged groups will also contribute to tackling health inequalities. Physical inactivity, alongside unhealthy diets, has contributed to the rapid increases in both obesity and overweight in adults and children, with 31% of children in Newcastle being classified as either overweight or obese.
East End Health's Physical Activity Project aims to assist Newcastle Primary Care Trust in halting the year-on-year increase in obesity among children under 11.
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The projects currently underway include:
Smoothie Sport Project
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As suggested by the name, this project is linked to the Smoothie Bar Project. At the end of each academic year, children who have consistently drunk smoothies are rewarded with a special sports day at Benfield Centre for Sporting Excellence.
Each child takes part in five different sports across the day and also receives a healthy packed lunch prepared for them by the school cooks.
Throughout the day children are also encouraged to join sports clubs in the local area, thereby promoting a long term commitment to physical activity
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Walker Football Club Physical Activity Initiative
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WCFC was established in 1988, by Brian Clark, Lee Clark (NUFC), Brian Simpson (ex-teacher at St Vincent's Primary School) and Eddie Hammil, to provide football facilities for children in the East End of Newcastle.
The club recently introduced dinner time and after-school physical activity classes in partnership with three schools in the East End.
The classes are run by qualified Football Association coaches and fitness instructors. At the end of each session, children are also rewarded with a fresh piece of fruit to take back to school or home.
East End Health has linked up with Walker FC to extend this service to other schools in the East End. We also hope to expand this service to children throughout schools in Newcastle.
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