DZD - German Center for Diabetes Research

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Kids of the SMS Initiative Visit the Medi-Circus and Try Out Taekwando

The Düsseldorf primary school children participating in the initiative "SMS. Sei schlau. Mach mit. Sei fit." (in English: Be smart. Join in. Be fit.) of the DZD scientist Professor Karsten Müssig had a lot of new activities to explore in November. First they visited the Medi-Circus created by Professor Dietrich Grönemeyer and learned what’s important for a healthy lifestyle. Then on two Fridays they had the opportunity to take part in a short “taster” Taekwondo training session.

“SMS. Be smart. Join in. Be fit." shall make children in Düsseldorf primary schools more aware of the benefits of a healthy diet and more exercise. This initiative is led by Professor Müssig of the German Diabetes Center in Düsseldorf, a partner in the DZD. The participating children receive extra lessons on nutrition 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 Dr. Kerstin Ketelhut. The two health insurance companies IKK classic and KKH, renowned partners and prominent people in Düsseldorf support the project.

Dietrich Grönemeyer’s Medi-Circus
A few days after the cinema start of Der Kleine Medicus (The Little Medicus), the Medi-Circus, an initiative of the Dietrich Grönemeyer Foundation, came to Düsseldorf on November 5th and invited the children participating in the SMS initiative and children from additional primary schools to a show. The participatory theater based on the health musical “The Little Medicus“”combines health education, music, movement and artistic stunts into a unique and effective entertainment concept. Since its inception in May 2007, the Dietrich Grönemeyer Foundation supports projects for disease prevention and health promotion. Many of these projects are aimed specifically at children and adolescents.

Active with Taekwando
To be active themselves, kids participating in the SMS initiative can learn a modern sport at the venue where the Düsseldorf Olympia hopefuls train for Rio 2016. The Sportwerk Düsseldorf e.V., Germany’s professional training center for Taekwando, invites primary school children to a taster course. In addition, the three-time European champion Levent Tuncat and the Youth World Champion Yanna Schneider support the SMS initiative as patrons. “As CEO it is extremely important to me to support children in their lives,” said Tayar Tunc, explaining the commitment of Sportwerk Düsseldorf. “Due to its speed and dynamics, Taekwando provides an excellent opportunity to counteract the existing deficits that many children have in motor skills and coordination,” said Professor Karsten Müssig.

Dates and times:
Friday, November 14, 2014, 9:00 – 10:30 am
Friday, November 21, 2014, 9:00 – 10:30 am
Place:
Sportwerk Düsseldorf e.V., Volmerswerther Str. 26, 40221 Düsseldorf


More information (German only) about the initiative can be found at: www.sms-mach-mit.de

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