SKIPERS

~~Sound eating habits since infancy promote optimal health, growth, intellectual and emotional development.

Healthy eating can prevent short-term medical problems like iron-deficiency anaemia, overweight, poor nourishment, eating disorders, and cavities, among others.

It can also prevent or minimize the possibility of developing long-term pathologies. Today’s main causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide are cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, weight excess, and osteoporosis.

These health conditions can be minimized and even prevented since infancy. For example, eating more fruits and vegetables is one of the key prevention strategies.

We need to invest and teach our younger generations basic common sense habits and concepts with practical live learning experiences; Skipers is designed to fulfill this need.

Skipers is an educational program that aims to promote a healthy life style (physical and mental) by increasing fruits and vegetable intake and knowledge. The program has shown very positive results for 4 years. It changes eating habits, ideas and attitudes in children 2 to 8 years old, in Bogotá, Colombia. This program started with 22 kinder-fourth graders; today, it has 500 girls and boys between 4 and 8 years old.

Skipers’ goal is to improve the quality and quantity of life of our children. The program’s objectives follow:

·         Learn the different health benefits of fruits and vegetables (F&V).

·         Create a positive attitude in children towards F&V.

·         Create a space where children are willing to taste new F&V.

·         Learn and live the “how and from where” F&V reach our tables.

·         Learn and live the “from the seed to the table” process.

·         Increase F&V intake and variety.

·         Create ECO-awareness.

·         Invite parents to take an active part in this change.

Skipers has a practical and theoretical approach that engages children in the learning process. Most of the activities take place at the vegetable garden. Students participate in the whole process, from preparing the soil for planting to harvesting and cooking; as well as tasting and enjoying their produce.

Additionally, they learn their body parts and functions and what fruits and vegetables are beneficial for each organ. Parents are involved in the program voluntarily; they receive enjoyable recipes so children have the opportunity to show them what they have learned. Also, they are invited to send specific fruits and vegetables during SKIPERS WEEK.

Skiper’s second year counted with 130 children between 5-6 years old evidence showed:

·         60% increase in knowledge of F&V

·         50% positive change in disposition to try new F&V

·         44% positive change in attitude towards F&V

·         34% increase in variety of F&V that are consumed

·         16 % increase in F&V intake in children

 
Skipers is a proven hands-on program that plants and awakens children’s curiosity in their wellbeing and their surroundings.