Glasgow schools' healthy eating drive wins political backing

Sep 17 2009 By Peter Carroll

CITY council leader Steven Purcell met with pupils yesterday taking part in a ground-breaking project to encourage them to improve their diets.

The pilot project, launched at the start of this year's term last month, will see 1000 first year pupils kept within the school grounds every lunch time until June next year.

Coucillor Purcell yesterday visited All Saints Secondary to find out how the pupils were taking to the programme, designed to steer them away from unhealthy fast food outlets.

He said: "This is about doing something substantial to educate and inspire our young people to eat a balanced diet and adopt a healthy lifestyle.

"We owe it to all our young people to give them all the support we can to improve their diet and lifestyle.

"This initiative can help banish our city's poor health image. I know this isn't going to happen over night, but it's another step in the right direction.

"I am calling on our young people to take responsibility and accept my challenge to make this pilot a success. I'm also challenging parents to give their full backing to this initiative and support their children, school and teachers in this bid to improve lifestyles . "This pilot is giving you the easy option to eat healthily.

I would urge all the young people to grab this chance with both hands and take the easy option."

Eight schools are taking part in the project throughout the city, including St Paul's High, Castlemilk High, Govan High, Whitehill Secondary, St Mungo's Academy, All Saints Secondary, Lochend Community High and St Thomas Aquinas Secondary.

Gerry Lyons, head teacher at All Saints Secondary School, added: "It is great to see how the young people and their families are working with the school to make the pilot a success.

"I think it is crucial that we work with the young people, encouraging them to embrace this initiative, listening to their ideas and suggestions and not just dictate to them."