JOGG is a network of municipalities, social organizations and companies that are committed to making the environment of children and young people healthier. ‘Healthy living starts in childhood’, says Van der Zee. ‘It is precisely in those early years that it is important to learn and experience what a healthy lifestyle is. That healthy food can also be tasty. That’s why we keep going with JOGG. It’s part of our comprehensive approach to helping our residents live healthier lives. We have agreed that in our local prevention agreement.’
Healthy
Arnhem has been a JOGG municipality since 2015. This means that we encourage healthier eating and drinking in schools, childcare centres, sports associations, swimming pools and sporting events, for example by offering school fruit. We also promote a healthy living environment around schools, for example with water taps. Arnhem also has the GO! program. This district-oriented treatment program guides overweight children and their families towards a healthier lifestyle for 2 years. About 15 percent of children in Arnhem are overweight, in some neighborhoods it is even more than 25 percent.
overweight
For Arnhem, participating in the JOGG approach means, among other things, that 3 JOGG directors from the Sports Company work in the neighborhoods where the percentage of overweight children and young people is greatest, such as in Klarendal, Arnhemse Broek, Geitenkamp, Malburgen and Presikhaaf.
Healthy snacks
The JOGG approach works. School fruit is now being supplied to 14 schools in Arnhem. In 4 sports canteens you can also get healthy snacks. 14 Major sporting events were provided with healthy fruit water and healthy snacks. 425 school children took part in the 7-day water challenge, during which they drank nothing but water or tea without sugar for 7 days. 8 Schools, 20 childcare locations and 12 play mornings participated in the vegetable campaign, where they received help to make healthy vegetable snacks for the participants. The water taps will be installed at the beginning of 2022.
Van der Zee: “Prevention is perhaps the most important thing for a healthier lifestyle. In the short term, the effect may not always be easily measurable, but it concerns the long term. If you don’t learn unhealthy habits, you don’t have to get rid of them. That’s what the JOGG approach is for and that’s why we’re continuing with it.”
By: National Education Guide
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