The Food Dudes Healthy Eating Programme
The Food Dudes Healthy Eating programme changes children's eating habits for life. With growing concerns around childhood obesity caused by unhealthy diet and lifestyle, the Food Dudes programme works by motivating young children to include fruit and vegetables in their daily diet. By tasting different foods repeatedly, children discover that eating fruit and vegetables can be enjoyable. Designed by psychologists at Bangor University, the programme has generated great interest of late due to the Government funded National rollout in Ireland, and the success of the regional rollout to every primary school in Wolverhampton. The DoH are also currently funding pilot studies in Bedfordshire and Yorkshire.
Initially, children are given fruit and vegetables to eat whilst watching DVD adventures featuring the Food Dudes - a group of positive role-model children. By eating fruit and vegetables, the Food Dudes are energised to vanquish the Junk Punks who try to deprive the world of healthy food. Rewards are given each day to children who successfully eat fruit and vegetables. The focus later switches to lunchtime, where children continue to be rewarded for eating fruit and vegetables with their school meal or packed lunch. Phase 3 requires school staff to maintain motivation by encouraging the children to continue eating fruit and vegetables in the school dining hall and at snacktime.
Sponsors include: School Food Trust, NHS, Worshipful Company of Fruiterers, Horticultural Development Company.
For more information contact the National Food Dudes Project Coordinator, Pauline Milne on 01248-388534 or email p.a.milne@bangor.ac.uk.
