Food education comes to schools to fight obesity

Food education to make young people fully aware of the importance of following healthy lifestyles, teaching them how and when to eat as well as the history of production processes in agriculture and industry. Thanks to the protocol signed by the Ministry of Public Education and Federalimentare, all this should become possible from the next school year. Both institutions appear convinced that this is the only way to combat overweight and obesity, phenomena present in Italy that have a negative impact on health and quality of life.

With the initiative "Il Gusto fa Scuola", which has already seen the official launch of the website www.ilgustofascuola.it, dedicated to teachers, families and young people, the aim is to recreate interaction and mutual exchange between the world of school and the world of production. The site gathers all the initiatives undertaken by trade associations on these topics, the activities currently scheduled and future opportunities, the content of training courses for teachers, and five sections of frequently asked questions on issues related to the food industry, aimed at teachers and students. The site also offers tips for young people on doing physical exercise at home and on making quick and easy recipes, as well as a focus on the Guidelines of the National Research Institute for Food and Nutrition for a healthy diet.

Around 1.6 million pupils and their families will be involved.