The German Center for Health Education (BZgA) has awarded the GUT DRAUF label to the “SMS. Be smart. Join in. Be fit.” initiative. (The German phrase “gut drauf” means to be in good form, to be in a good mood.) GUT DRAUF is a program to improve the health of girls and boys between the ages of five and 18 years and is considered a certification of quality for qualified health promotion in youth work. The BzgA’s youth activities are specifically aimed at schools, youth work institutions, sports clubs and companies with trainees as well as providers of youth travel and accommodation.
The objective of GUT DRAUF is to influence and improve the health of children and teens over the long term through offers promoting a healthy diet, adequate physical activity and stress regulation. Young people shall experience that – without much cost and effort – it is possible to grow up and live a healthy life with excitement, fun and variety. “We are very honored to be awarded the label. It reflects the quality standards we pursue with the SMS initiative,” said project leader Professor Karsten Müssig. The SMS initiative supports the goals of GUT DRAUF by conveying the program’s three key concepts – healthy diet, physical activity and stress regulation –to the participating school children.
In 2015 the SMS initiative was already awarded the support logo of IN FORM – Germany’s initiative for a healthy diet and more exercise.
The initiative “SMS. Be smart. Join in. Be fit." led by Prof. Dr. Karsten Müssig for children in Düsseldorf primary schools seeks to counteract overweight/obesity and other lifestyle-related diseases in childhood and adolescence. The children participate in the “aid” nutrition pilot license program in cooperation with the Educational Center for Dietary Assistants of the Kaiserswerther Diakonie and take part in the exercise program for primary schools “Fitness for Kids” developed by sports scientist Prof. Dr. Kerstin Ketelhut. In addition, the pupils experience the perception of their own body in the sensory classroom of the Präha Weber School in a motor skills training course, and they are taught Deichmann relaxation exercises in cooperation with the initiative “Physical Activity during School Recess” of the Dietrich Grönemeyer Foundation. The two health insurance companies IKK classic and KKH, the organization diabetesDE – German Diabetes Aid, the Sports Department of Düsseldorf and other renowned partners and prominent people support the project and provide the participating school children with additional attractive venues for learning outside of school. The patron of the initiative is Thomas Geisel, mayor of the state capital Düsseldorf.
More information about the initiative can be found at: www.sms-mach-mit.de (German only)