The Fit for Life Road Show

Stratford-on-Avon District Council and South Warwickshire Dietetic Service are working in partnership with Stratford-upon-Avon College performing Arts' Department to take the message of the importance of healthy eating and regular physical activity to over 40 primary schools across the District reaching in the region of 10,000 children.

There is increasing national concern over the rising levels of obesity in children because of a poor diet and lack of physical activity.  This year's Fit For Life Road Show, delivered through a Theatre in Education (TIE) programme aims to promote Healthy eating and the importance of keeping active through regular physical activity. 

These are the important messages that will be promoted to primary schools children across the District especially in the build up towards this year's 2012 Olympics.

Performances include: Wrangler Joe and Chicken Hut, No Added Sweeteners, Lemonella & the Olympic Games, Health Boosters, Daisy's Adventure, Fruity Tuti and Alien Adventure.

Forty students from Stratford-upon-Avon Performing Arts' Department have learnt the messages of healthy eating and physical activity and have created different shows as part of the Theatre in Education project, which provides a significant contribution towards the college attaining Grade 1 status in performing arts. 

Councillor Maurice Howse, Enterprise, Housing Revenues Portfolio says:  “As well as conveying timely and important messages to primary school children, the TIE programme provides important workplace experience for the many students involved in the programme as it is one of the most important pieces of theatre they will perform as part of their course."

The programme provides valuable workplace experience opportunities for the students as the District Council commissions the programme.  It would be difficult for performing arts students to secure individual placements.  It is also a very significant piece of theatre for them because of the target audience they will be delivering to.

Given the rising levels of childhood obesity, this is an important project which aims at getting crucial information to children and through them to their parents and carers.  Students delivering these messages through performing arts provide good opportunities for local colleges to give a memorable and tangible experience for all involved.

Childhood obesity facts (source Environmental Health Practitioner)

• One in three children is now obese of overweight.
• Obesity in under 11s has risen by more than 40 per cent in 10 years.
• Each year 220,000 English children become overweight or obese.
• The Chief Medical officer has compared children's diets to a health 'time bomb' which must to defused.
• The Food Standards Agency has warned that there is a real prospect that parents may outlive their children.