Urban Aboriginal Healthy Living Program – Healthy Kids (HK)
Goal of the Program
The Healthy Kids Program focuses on providing education on healthy eating and increasing physical fitness levels for children and families. The program implements culture-based activities to enhance the well-being and traditional knowledge of urban Aboriginal children and their families.
OBJECTIVES:
- To increase awareness and provide education on healthy eating for children;
- To increase access and availability to healthy food for children;
- To promote healthy alternatives to alcohol, drug and solvent abuse;
- To provide opportunities to support healthy eating for families;
- To increase recreation activities that incorporate traditional activities;
- To increase children and youth physical activity through access to recreation facilities, education and activity programs.
Components of the Healthy Kids Program
- Promotion and Provision of Healthy Nutrition: hands-on and interactive workshops for Aboriginal children and their families; providing healthy meal preparation tools and instruction; and relaying nutrition information.
- Promotion of Physical Activity: structured, fun, interactive activities and games for Aboriginal children, youth and their families to increase physical activity rates and to set off an active living lifestyle.
- Promotion of Lifelong Healthy Lifestyles: children focused messaging and activities around living a commercial tobacco-free and substance-free lifestyle; and the promotion and sharing of local culture, traditions and ceremonies.