We’re delighted to share with you that under the Habits to Greatness program, Firstcry Intellitots Preschool has launched another good habit. The second habit was initiated with the intention of inculcating a healthy snacking habit among young ones. It is called the ‘Snack Right Stay Bright’ campaign.
Since we all know that children are fabulous at grasping things quickly, starting them early in childhood is the best way to instil good habits in them. With this belief, Firstcry Intellitots Preschool initiated the ‘Habits to Greatness’ program aiming to introduce one good habit at a time to our students.
‘Snack Right Stay Bright’ is a 21-day program where our Oi’ites and everyone around them are encouraged to make a habit of having a healthy snack each day.
With this, I would like to throw some light on one of the health challenges of the 21st century i.e., obesity. Childhood obesity is on the rise across the world. As per Indian Journal of Public Health, ‘Younger populations of India are facing “double burden” of undernutrition as well as obesity.’
So, have you wondered what are the hidden activators of childhood obesity?
It is not over-eating. It is just ‘not eating right’. You will be amazed to learn about a scientific argument which says ‘the origin of childhood obesity is found rooted in the first 1000 days of life after conception’. That means the most affected age group is our preschool going children. This issue needs to be addressed with an exceptionally creative and visionary approach. And hence, to do our part, we as educators must try to create awareness among young children and parents to start healthy eating practices early. Here are a few quick resolutions every individual should make.
- home food for children
- restriction on fast food and processed food
- regularizing breakfast intake
- encouraging outdoor physical activity
- assuring 9 hours of sleep per day
- encouraging children to select healthy food
- making healthy swaps for a healthy lifestyle
“Global evidence is increasingly suggesting that sugar is more harmful to health than lipids in diet and since it is the sugar that provides the most tempting bait to be used by the food industry, market-based interventions will have to keep a watch on sugar as much as on lipids” as cited in Chaturvedi S. Silent drivers of childhood obesity in India. Indian J Public Health 2019;63:91-3
Today, 50% of sugar that our kids consume comes from snacks. Replacing it with healthy snacks will definitely aid in weight management, curb cravings, and boost energy. Let’s pledge to snack mindfully!
Firstcry Intellitots Preschool welcomes one and all to participate in the 21-day ‘Snack Right Stay Bright’ challenge. Through this exercise, we hope to erase the notion that healthy snacks cannot be delicious!
