For a healthy life

The projects we undertake in our School must respond to the needs of today's society by educating our students in all aspects that affect them personally.

There are health-related measures that must be learnt from childhood such as physical exercise and a correct diet for the balanced development of the individual.

Following a study carried out in our region, we can state the following:

· In Alava, 16.2% of children aged between 6 and 12 are obese

· More and more young people are overweight

· 4.5% are extremely thin.

· Eating habits are changing,

· The proportion of junk food in diets is increasing

· There is a lack of physical exercise

On the other hand, according to the World Health Organisation, obesity will soon become the epidemic of the 21st century.

In view of this situation, our School considered it necessary to educate our Primary 3 and 4 students as a response to the lack of dietary education among our youngest students and, at the same time, we also intend to educate family members in good eating habits.

To do this, we have adopted 3 programmes offered to education centres by a number of different institutions such as the Basque Bread-makers’ Federation and the Association for the Information and Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease Bihotz Bizi-Corazón Vivo, in collaboration with the Caja Vital savings bank:

salud@la vida

Through a fictitious character called SALUDALIO, children learn which are the foods that most help them to grow, play and study.

Cardiovascular Breakfasts

· Students attend a talk in which they are told about the importance of a healthy diet

· Following this, they get a free breakfast

· Just ten minutes are necessary every day for a good cardio-healthy breakfast with milk, bread, fruit, cold meats and olive oil.

The Great Immunology Game

The educational project and the game propose that it is advisable to observe healthy habits in order to ensure that bacteria do not enter the body.

The teacher explains in the classroom the theoretical concepts of the immunological system and students acquire a general knowledge of the immunological system.

Through a game adapted to each level, they discover and strengthen their knowledge of the immunological systems and healthy habits.

CONCLUSIONS

· It is healthier to eat a sandwich and fruit than the products of industrial bakeries.

· Breakfast is the most important meal in the day. When a child goes to school without breakfast he or she will not be capable of concentrating in class.

· Physical exercise avoids obesity. Children sit in front of the TV an average of two and a half hours every day.