A balanced diet is of utmost importance in the treatment and prevention of lifestyle-related diseases such as obesity and diabetes. However, more and more people rely on ready-to-eat or ready-to-cook products; fewer and fewer people prepare their meals themselves. But precisely this is a fundamental requirement for a healthy diet. That is why the SMS initiative and the Educational Center for Dietary Assistants of the Kaiserswerther Diakonie invited Düsseldorf primary school children to a practical nutrition lesson on the occasion of Healthy Nutrition Day. The participating children learned how to handle kitchen equipment and prepared small meals by themselves. A quick glance at the menu revealed that plenty of fun was ensured. Besides dips with herbs, fruit junket and noodle salad, the children made “funny faces” on bread by decorating bread slices with herbs they chopped themselves. At the end of the lesson, the children were rewarded for their enthusiastic participation with the nutrition pilot license. “Cooking your own food is not only fun and tastes good, it is also healthy. This is what we want to impart to children,” said Prof. Karsten Müssig, head of the SMS project.
The initiative “SMS. Be smart. Join in. Be fit." led by Prof. Dr. Karsten Müssig seeks to raise awareness in children in Düsseldorf primary schools about the importance of a healthy diet and more exercise. In the “aid” nutrition pilot license program, the children learn how to handle food and kitchen equipment 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. 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)