Chartwells and Medikidz team up to fight obesity

21st September 2009, 9:17am

In the fight against obesity among school students, Chartwells has enlisted a new ally, Medikidz – five superheroes that star in a comic book about managing weight through healthy eating and exercise.

Following the launch of Medikidz this week, copies of the 'Medikidz Explain Overweight' comic book will be distributed to every primary and secondary state school in the UK to help educate students about the dangers of over-eating and lack of exercise.

Chartwells has sponsored the comic book as part of its 'Eat Learn Live' philosophy to encourage healthy eating.

The characters will educate children through a wide range of media, including comic books, pamphlets, brochures and an interactive website consisting of a virtual world of the human body, a child-friendly medical encyclopaedia and an integrated social network for children globally to connect around illness and disease.

Dr Kim Chilman-Blair, author and chief executive of Medikidz, said: "Chartwells' sponsorship means we can take the message about being overweight – a rapidly growing problem – to all state school students across the UK and encourage them to pursue a healthier lifestyle. We are very appreciative of Chartwells sponsorship and their 'Eat Learn Live' philosophy perfectly matches what we are trying to achieve through Medikidz."

Chartwells has an education programme – Putting Fun Back into Food – that promotes awareness of the importance and benefits of healthy eating to primary school children, secondary school students, sixth formers and adults. In 2008/2009, Chartwells ran more than 140 courses across the UK for approximately 44,000 students.

Tony Byrne, Business Director of Chartwells, said: "The message within the Medikidz comic complements our Putting Fun Back into Food Programme in encouraging students to eat healthily. In state schools, Chartwells has developed a food offer that meets the food and nutritional standards and provides meals that students want to eat. We are very pleased to support the work that Medikidz is doing in raising awareness of the importance of a healthy, balanced lifestyle."

Chartwells sponsorship also includes a 25 minute animation that will be housed on the Medikidz website from mid-October.

Related Articles:

• 05 Jan 2012 - Chartwells retains £2 million catering contract with Reading Borough Council
• 28 Nov 2011 - School meals provider Chartwells wins catering contract with Derby City Council
• 26 Aug 2011 - Industry experts speak out about obesity report
• 09 Nov 2010 - Education catering specialist Chartwells wins £3m deal with Brooklands College
• 22 Oct 2010 - Chartwells wins school catering contract worth £21m
• 15 Oct 2010 - Chartwells wins catering contract at Coventry University
• 18 Jun 2010 - School dinner provider Chartwells launches contest to create ultimate Sussex Day meal
• 18 Jan 2010 - 25% of children starting school are already overweight, claims study

Click here to submit a comment!

Jim Wheatley

01 October 2009 at 11:40am

Hopefully this will mean that kids will be able to learn about the dangers of unhealthy eating and will encourage them to eat better.

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