10 Jul 2017 Everton in the Community deliver sugary drinks education in schools
Coaches from Everton in the Community (EitC) have been delivering #GiveUpLovingPop or ‘GULP’ PSHE sessions in local primary schools, raising awareness of the health harms of over-consumption of sugary drinks and also promoting the benefits of drinking water in terms of educational attainment and sporting performance.
The programme consists of three classroom-based sessions providing an overview of the different types of sugary drinks, how to figure out the sugar content of drinks and why drinking water and low-fat milk is beneficial in the short- and long-term. The third session also touches on the marketing techniques used by sugary drinks companies and how sport and sports stars are used to entice young people.
Evidence indicates that the use of community coaches to deliver health messages in school settings is successful in promoting lifestyle change (Martin et al, 2015).
Adam Chamberlain, Teacher, Learning Mentor & PSHE Coordinator at Much Woolton Primary School, Liverpool, said:
“Delivering sessions on sugary drinks at KS2 is essential before children become accustomed to the taste of liquid sugar. The GULP sessions were smart, encouraging the children to be inquisitive and question the world around them, but also gave pupils the knowledge and skills to make up their own minds up about sugary drinks and what is best for their education and for playing sport.”
For more information about GULP, visit the website.
