Any initiative that motivates a child to learn and get active deserves a thumbs up.
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In our modern times we see children immobile and indoors, often glued to screens of computers, televisions or mobile devices. Long gone are the days where you see cohorts of red-faced children on their bikes after school or on weekends.
The news that Active Launceston has launched its Active Technology program to entice students on how digital devices can help them improve their daily activities to live a healthier life is something worth applauding.
Not only worth applauding because it is improving health but because it is educating students about healthy choices, and promoting the ever growing coding and technology fields.
It is important that good choices are being made early on in life after news that Tasmania has one of the highest rates of obesity in the country.
Data released from the Social Health Atlas of Australia shows that about 31.3 per cent of the state’s adult population identify as obese – sitting above the national average of 27.9 per cent.
George Town, Break O’Day and Dorset municipalities have some of the highest rates for obesity, while Launceston and the West Tamar are in the lower half of the Tasmanian statistics.
However, all were still higher than the national average.
According to the government’s Healthy Tasmania Five-Year Strategic Plan, Tasmania is currently experiencing some of the worst population health outcomes in the country.
We have high rates of smoking, poor nutrition and chronic disease as well as low physical activity levels. In fact, the Social Health Atlas report shows that only 45.5 per cent of Tasmanian have adequate fruit intake.
For change to occur, we need to educated the next generation of adults about making positive health choices.
Initiatives like Active Technology should have a community tick of approval because it is increasing student health and well-being. It should also be on the state government’s radar as part of its preventative health plan.
The program encourages students to set out and achieve their goals as well as increase awareness of active lifestyles. It also connects students to individuals in the community that can inspire.
