Local services
A new programme entitled “Plate Adventure – Eat Smart!” for children focusing on healthy nutrition was launched as part of the “Move, Debrecen!” initiative. It was presented by the Deputy Mayor of Debrecen, Diána Széles, and Director of the Debrecen Primary Care and Health Development Institute (Daefi) Csaba Papp, at the Szent Anna Street Health Development Center on the 9th of January, 2025.
Diána Széles said, “Some of the elements of the school programme of the “Move, Debrecen!” initiative, which is part of the Caring City programme, is based on the data of the school health screening programme conducted by Daefi. Thanks to the support of the Municipality of Debrecen, this programme, which is unique in the country, not only includes compulsory examinations under the law but screens pupils in Debrecen schools every year in so-called indicator years (grades 2, 4, 6, and 8, 10, 12).
The data show what kind of physical activity and lifestyle programmes are needed and what results can be achieved by running them. For example, based on the 2022/2023 school year screening data, experts found that the proportion of pupils with musculoskeletal problems was alarmingly high (58%). The school programme of the “Move, Debrecen!” initiative launched playful preventive gymnastics for pupils twice a week in a total of 44 educational institutions.
As a result, according to the measurement results, the proportion of musculoskeletal abnormalities (such as flat feet, posture problems, and mild scoliosis) has already decreased within a year, which is very pleasing in such a short time and confirms the programme’s success. However, increasing the intensity of movement must also go hand in hand with changing lifestyle and eating habits. In the spirit of this idea, a new element of the school programme of the “Move, Debrecen!” initiative has been launched with the help of dieticians, called “Plate Adventure – Eat Smart!” at the Health Promotion Centre at 11 Szent Anna Street. This programme is primarily aimed at preschool and primary school children, presenting them with the benefits of healthy and conscious nutrition through organised sessions hosted by educational institutions, based on applications, and hosting one or two groups at a time, the deputy mayor said. She is confident that the children participating in the sessions in the “smart kitchen” of the Szent Anna Street Health Promotion Centre will know the healthiest foods when shopping with their families. The aim is that in time, all the kindergarten and school children in Debrecen will participate in the “plate adventure,” and then the older ones can join in, although this is already possible on demand.
The Deputy Mayor said this program gives all kindergarten and school children in Debrecen and their families a chance to learn about healthier eating habits. This, in turn, will contribute to raising healthier future generations.
Csaba Papp stressed that the newest elements of the initiative, launched with the adequate support of the city government, respond to real experiences and actual health screening data from Daefi. Every school year, Daefi conducts a comprehensive screening examination of nearly 14,000 children from Debrecen at its Pósa Street centre and provides them with knowledge expansion on physical and psychological issues in a playful manner while keeping the school framework in mind.
According to experience and data measured with certified scales, the proportion of both morbidly obese and morbidly underweight children has increased in the last two years, with a total of one-fifth of the children who participated in screening tests being such. School meals can help children eat healthier, but it must also be an essential consideration at home. The “Plate Adventure – Eat Smart!” programme is designed to help achieve this, with sessions held every weekday (Monday to Friday) between 10.30 a.m. and 11.15 a.m. at the Health Promotion Centre at 11 Szent Anna Street.
During the sessions, preschool and school children can learn about the basics and importance of healthy eating in a playful way, including tastings. Education and training institutions interested in this opportunity can register their groups for the programme by going to https://gondoskodovaros.hu/ and clicking on the “Free programmes and screening booking” link on the homepage.
Although other Health Education Centre programmes can be used free of charge with the Debrecen City card, the city card is not required for these group sessions. Csaba Papp expressed the wish that in the future, it would be good to involve parents in this programme in some way because it would be vital for them to know that better quality and healthier foods can be purchased for the exact cost so that their children can grow up as a healthier generation and reach a healthier age as healthier adults. It’s never too late to change your perspective and live more health-conscious.
According to Csaba Papp, half an hour of exercise a day is necessary to stay alive, one hour for health, and one and a half hours of conscious exercise to achieve fitness. However, taking a walk could also help enormously. The hormone irisin, which is produced in the body as a result of muscle work, has a very positive effect on both our physical and mental performance and condition; it can even help prevent the development of Alzheimer’s disease in old age.
Diána Széles added that the numerous programmes of the health development centre at 11 Szent Anna Street, including the flat feet exercise, are extremely popular. This also proves that the city government is on the right track with the Caring City program and the “Move, Debrecen!” initiative programmes. These are worth developing, as the people of Debrecen like them and those who serve their health.
New information for those interested in the indoor exercise programmes of the “Move, Debrecen!” initiative: the programs in community centres and school gyms will start on the 13th of January. The schedule for these can be found on the website https://gondoskodovaros.hu.
Source and photo credit:debrecen.hu
