Boosting better break‐times for children: an inspiring start

Eating habits are changing, and snacking or “grazing” is on the increase, especially among children. Most of the convenient, pre‐packaged snack foods such as fizzy drinks, chocolate, crisps and biscuits are high in fat, sugar, salt and calories. This has implications for health. For this reason the Southern Health and Social Services Board (SHSSB), Northern Ireland, together with the Southern Education and Library Board (SELB), Northern Ireland, decided to set up a scheme to reward schools which had a healthy break‐time policy. Outlines an award scheme called Boost Better Breaks. All nursery, primary and post‐primary schools in the SHSSB were encouraged to participate. One of the criteria for qualification was “If any food is permitted at break‐time only fruit and/or milk can be taken”. Nursery schools were also allowed to have healthy snacks. Finds that, of schools in the SHSSB, 9 per cent (27) received the award on its pilot run, and because of its success the award scheme has now been extended to playgroups and special schools.