This subject is the centrepiece of a public engagement concept from Mars. For decades the company has been actively involved in sports, and supporting especially those programs that promote physical activity and health. In the past these included the Olympic Games, European Football Championships, or in 2006, the World Hockey Cup. Currently, Mars is also focussing on promoting physical activity in recreational and popular sports at the local level. The projects vary from associate exercise programmes, such as "Fit for 10", to direct involvement with the local football club Viersen FC.
Ready, set… action !
Exercise plays a major role within the context of snackfood consumption: special programs such as the parent's brochure "Clever Naschen Action Kids" provide parents with specific ideas and tips on how and where they can find physical activities for their children or exercise as a family. Ideas for games, such as "nose polo" or "speedy snake" are fun either indoors or outdoors and involve all family members. The brochure is available in nine regional issues with tips and ideas on what to do nearby. The offers are divided by age group and coordinated by independent experts. "Clever Naschen Action Kids" is supported by the Platform for Good Nutrition and Physical Exercise (peb = Plattform Ernährung und Bewegung e. V.) and the German Youth Sports (Deutsche Sportjugend).
"Heavy movers" project in NRW
Overweight children and teenagers are in the focus of many discussions nowadays. However, what is needed besides dialogue and education is practical and concrete help for affected families. "Schwer mobil" (heavy movers) – a joint project by sport clubs in North Rhine-Westphalia – is leading the way. Special nutrition and exercise programmes for overweight children are being offered in selected clubs to show that being active can really be fun and also motivates children to change their nutritional behaviour. Mars Germany supports the travelling exhibition "Wir machen mobil" (we’ll get you moving), initiated by the KreisSportBund Viersen, to spread the word about the project and the many offers provided by the "schwer mobil" groups.
Hareket eglencedir: Exercise is fun!
In 2009 Mars extended its engagement through an educational initiative in Turkish titled "Akillica tatli yemenin sirlari" (clever snacking). Background impetus is from the comparably high number of overweight children and youth in families with a Turkish migration background. Turkish-speaking parents who want to bring more physical activity into their family life can directly access all information in Turkish at: www.akillica-tatli-yemenin-sirlari.de. This is accompanied by the recreation guidebook "Clever Naschen Action Kids" with a Turkish version for the Rhein-Main and Berlin regions. Both issues were developed together with the Turkish-German Health Foundation (TDG e.V.) and the "Platform for Good Nutrition and Physical Exercise" (peb e. V.). And 2010 will see a workshop series in Hessen under the auspices of the Hessen State Ministry of Justice for Integration and Europe. The workshop was created in cooperation with the TDG e.V. and the health insurer AOK Hessen and is aimed at raising awareness of a balanced nutrition and at providing inspiration for more physical activity in everyday life.
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