Led by the great crusader Jamie Oliver, our media is currently awash with articles relating to the rise in obesity amongst children and the importance of them starting to eat ‘proper’ healthy meals throughout the day. The number of children with obesity has trebled in the past 20 years with ten per cent of 10 year olds now officially obese.
Child diabetes is dramatically rising. Fatty and sugary foods are more readily available now then ever before. Average portion sizes and calories per mouthful have increased, and people are much less active than they ever were. These are just some of the factors which indicate the urgent attention we must give to our children’s eating habits if their body shape and general health are to improve.
Furthermore many children are attending school without having eaten breakfast. Chain Reaction’s healthy eating work teaches children that a good breakfast to start the school day is essential. Being hungry in school can have a negative impact on student performance leading to irritability and a lack of concentration.
It is easier for a child to learn when they are well-nourished and with this in mind Chain Reaction Theatre Company created ‘Food 4 Thought’.
‘Food 4 Thought’ is an explosive and energetic piece of theatre that promotes the advantages of a balanced diet and stresses the importance of exercise and having a sensible approach to enjoying what you eat.
With singalong pop songs and a plethora of well known TV and sporting characters, the children are educated on all the food types using key words. Proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and fats are introduced, and the main characters along with audience come to discover which foods each can be found in. The overriding message throughout is the need to eat balanced and regular meals and the importance of exercise within a healthy and fulfilling life.
‘Food 4 Thought’ can be used to compliment any educational programmes which encourage healthy eating.
Jean (the canteen lady) is determined to change the eating habits of our three young students. Transformed into her alter-ego of the ‘genie’ and armed with the magical ketchup bottle she takes them on an entrancing journey which both educates and entertains.
The first student ‘Ali Dingrunner’ is a keen sports fanatic but never seems to have the energy to fulfil her potential. She is treated to a rather feeble footballing performance from Michael owen, and discovers that the reason behind their failure is a simple lack of sustenance. They need protein to keep them going. A quick round of gameshow ‘Supermarket Sweep’ soon teaches our budding athlete where she can find this elixir of sporting success.
Next up is sickly student ‘Jasmine Fluenza’ whose sneezing is a constant irritation to herself and her colleagues. After a shocking handbag tussle between Tellytubby legends ‘Tinky Winky’ and ‘LaLa’, and a quick spoof of ‘Who Wants To Be A Millionaire’, Jasmine soon learns that vitamins and minerals hold the answer to her prayers.
And finally we meet the loveable Geoff Vorderman (nephew of Carol). His head is way too far up in the clouds to consider such trivial matters as food, and his schoolwork is suffering. A combined effort from the cast of Eastenders and the great ‘Auntie Carol’ herself soon puts him straight and he is able to concentrate much more once he gets some carbs down him.
The concluding song ‘Eating Is So Much Fun’ involves the audience in a celebration of the enormous contribution food can make to all our lives whilst realising the importance of regular balanced meals.
Written by Peter Tennant. The original development of ‘Food 4 Thought’ was funded by Havering Catering Services.
