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. 2010 Jul 6;10:398. doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-10-398

Table 6.

Areas for action and examples of strategies

School physical and policy environment Strategies
Tuckshop/vendors Enlist the help of the SA Heart and Stroke Foundation, who have developed a tuckshop intervention to assist schools in the promotion of healthier foods
School nutrition and physical activity guidelines/policies Develop a policy that prohibits the use of physical activity as a form of punishment
Develop a policy that stipulates the type of food to be sold at fund-raising events
School health committee Form a representative health committee that helps to address issues relating to nutrition and physical activity (not just general health and safety)
Vegetable garden, outside or in containers Enlist the help of the SA Department of Agriculture, who have a programme to assist schools in the planting and maintenance of vegetable gardens
Activities during break time, e.g. playground circuits Use equipment from the physical activity resource bin provided to set up a physical activity circuit around the school grounds
Extra mural sport Link up with the SA Gymnastics Federation to join their community-based rope skipping programme aimed at primary school children

Life Orientation curriculum

Design and make posters for poster event Ask learners (Grades 4-6) to make posters that illustrate one or more of the HealthKick goals
Lesson period for physical activity Ensure that the time allocated to physical activity is 'ring-fenced' for this purpose by drawing on lesson plans and activity suggestions in the resource box provided

Family and community involvement

Poster event Arrange an event that learners' families and community members can attend to showcase the posters made in Life Orientation
Physical activity or sporting event Arrange a fun walk in which learners' families and community members can participate to promote the importance of physical activity for health

Diabetes awareness

Denim for Diabetes day Contact Diabetes SA to arrange this event where learners bring a small cash donation in order to wear denim to raise awareness about diabetes
Activity during International Diabetes week During International Diabetes week (annually in November) arrange a guest speaker to come and speak on the importance of healthy lifestyles