Five schools and communities adopt a Euro health project to help the Lothians win its battle with the bulge

Published on Friday 20 November 2009 10:14

THEY are known the world over for their creamy cheeses, buttery croissants and crusty breads, their rich sauces and fine wines.

With that in mind, the food loving French might not sound like the best placed people to advise how to achieve a healthy diet.

But a groundbreaking health project pioneered by two French towns with remarkable results is now paving the way for dramatically boosting Lothian's battle of the bulge.

The French programme was hailed a major success for the way it reduced obesity rates by bringing together health organisations, schools, communities and even businesses in a joint approach to flood communities with the healthy diet and exercise message.

Today the plan – known as EPODE and launched initially in the northern French towns of Fleurbaix and Laventie – has been adopted across Europe as part of the fight to halt obesity and raise awareness of health issues

Now it forms the blueprint for a pilot scheme at five schools and communities in Lothian – and if successful it could be rolled out across the area.

Led by NHS Lothian under the banner 'Healthy Lifestyle', the programme works with Edinburgh Leisure – the city council's arms-length sports and leisure provider – schools, colleges and community organisations.

The two-year project puts schools at the heart of delivering the healthy eating and 'get active' message with a range of community events – from cookery classes for parents to information evenings offering everything from dental advice to details of sports and fitness classes.

It comes against a background of mounting concern over child obesity rates – one in three children entering secondary school in Lothian is obese, and the figure for primary one pupils is one in five.

The schools taking part are Craigroyston Primary School, in north west Edinburgh; Woodlands Special School, in Edinburgh; Cockenzie Primary school, in East Lothian; Lawfield Primary School, in Midlothian; and Armadale Primary, in West Lothian.

Graham Mackenzie, consultant in public health at Lothian NHS, says : "The results in France were impressive. The area had 11-12 per cent of kids who were identified as 'obese' at the start.

"Fifteen years on, and obesity in a nearby town which did not run the programme was 18 per cent, but in the area with the programme it had actually fallen to nine per cent."

The Lothian programme was drawn up after health chiefs quizzed parents on their own health concerns.

"Most know the key messages like cutting back on salt and fat, more fibre in the diet, fruit and veg, but the trouble is actually getting them to do it," explains Graham.

"We found there's a lot of stuff going on such as opportunities to become more active, but people didn't really now about it.

"We thought that if you could bring all that together through 'social marketing' – providing better information and access – then everyone should benefit."

A key element of the Scottish Government-funded initiative is Edinburgh Leisure's series of five weekly 'Bitesize' sessions aimed at giving parents and carers tips and information on how to improve their children's and their own health.

As Sarah Dempster, child healthy lifestyle co-ordinator at Edinburgh Leisure explains, one recent topic on physical activity had Craigroyston Primary School parents regressing back to their own childhoods playing a series of fun games including 'Port and Starboard'.

"It's just a way of getting people running around," she says. "The course has being going really well and the parents are so enthusiastic.

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Craigroyston headteacher Lorna Stewart says initial responses from parents and carers have been favourable.

"We ran a 'Health Hub' event recently, with all agencies involved coming to the school, which attracted around 50 families – around a third of families with children at the school.

"The 'Bitesize Club' gives parents the chance to come in for a morning, have a healthy breakfast and look at issues like child development, healthy eating, active learning."

The message extends into the classroom where children have been cooking up their own healthy options of soup, fruit salads and fresh vegetable snacks from the school garden.

"Children are actually much more knowledgeable than ever," she adds. "But parents often think as long as the kids are eating healthy it doesn't matter what they have. It's important that we change health for the better for everyone."

Mum Samantha Conquer, 24, of Muirhouse Close, attends Craigroyston's Bitesize events and a cookery class at the school which is organised through Telford College. She agrees the Healthy Lifestyle initiative has altered her outlook.

"It's very difficult as a parent because you know what you want to do and what you should be doing, but the kids often have other ideas. My daughter Leigh, who's nine, loves fruit and there's never a problem getting her to eat it, but my son John, who is three, has a really sweet tooth and is forever asking for a sweetie.

"Bitesize has been showing me all kinds of little tricks to use to get them to choose the best options. I've also enjoyed the chance to meet other parents and talk with them about what they do."

The joint approach to tackling diet and exercise has also opened her mind to leisure and activity options.

"Some things do cost money but we've been finding out that you don't really have to spend money to be active. We live near a golf course so sometimes we just head out there with the kids and fly a kite."

The programme, she adds, has already had an impact on family life.

"We all just want to give our kids the best start in life," she adds. "And this has given me lots of great ideas."