Carrefour Romania, Carrefour Foundation France, and the InspirAction Association are launching the second edition of the "Taste for Health. Healthy Habits and Delicious Meals" project with the aim of promoting a balanced lifestyle among middle school students and their parents through an educational program implemented in public schools in Romania.

Schools interested in participating in the program can apply between September 12 and September 22 by filling out the form provided by the organizers HERE. Ten schools from the cities of Alba Iulia, Arad, Bucharest, Brasov, Buzau, Cluj, Constanta, Craiova, Focsani, and Iasi will be selected.

"After the enthusiasm and involvement with which we were greeted by students, teachers, and parents in the first edition, in the second year since its launch, we are focusing on expanding and consolidating the program's impact in more schools in Romania.

Through this project, we align with Carrefour's strategic commitment, 'Act for Food,' through which we promote healthy eating and facilitate dietary transition through various actions. Alongside educational institutions and with the support of central and local authorities, we educate teenagers about basic nutritional principles, guide them to avoid food waste, and support them in integrating sports activities into their daily lives. This initiative is an important step towards a more informed and responsible community regarding nutrition and the environment," said Alina Gamauf, Member of the Executive Committee, Carrefour Romania.

According to the latest data presented in the World Obesity Atlas report (2023), the obesity situation in Romania remains alarming:

Approximately 35% of Romanian adults are estimated to be affected by this health issue, with an annual increase of 2.1% between 2020 and 2035.

The situation is even more concerning when it comes to children, with projections in the same study indicating an annual increase of 5.6% in the number of children affected by obesity between 2020 and 2035.

More than a health issue, obesity also has a significant impact on the national economy: in 2035, Romania's GDP is expected to be negatively affected by approximately 3.6%.

The "Taste for Health. Healthy Habits and Delicious Meals" project was launched in 2022 with the aim of educating adolescents and parents about adopting a balanced lifestyle through a holistic approach.

"We are excited to carry out this large-scale project together with Carrefour. The reason is simple - there is a great need that this project addresses, and we have outlined a comprehensive program that responds very well to the physical, mental, and emotional health needs of adolescents," added Simona Paraschiv, President of the InspirAction Association.

The program's curriculum consists of two parts that cover the entire school year 2023 – 2024:

In the first part, students receive knowledge about the fundamentals of healthy eating to understand basic principles of nutrition, such as choosing foods based on daily activities, the connection between food and emotional states, as well as the importance of sleep and physical activity. The program also aims to encourage the integration of these principles into students' lives and to develop healthy habits.

In the second part, students participate in practical activities such as mindfulness sessions, aerobics, and creating gardens in outdoor spaces.

"What I learned from being part of this program is how to be healthier, both physically and mentally. By mental health, I mean courage, confidence, loyalty, love, and happiness, and by physical health, I mean healthy eating, hydration, and sports. I learned about emotions, how to express them, and how to manage them. If I were to summarize, I would say that health is as important as expressing emotions" (student).

In the first edition of the program, 220 students from 7 schools in the following 5 cities participated: Bucharest, Craiova, Alba Iulia, Focsani, and Botosani. They benefited from 250 nutrition, mindfulness, and aerobic sessions and had the opportunity to create their own gardens with vegetables and aromatic plants. Families of the students, approximately 600 parents, grandparents, and close relatives, also participated in webinars on healthy habits.

The 250 sessions aimed to develop skills for a balanced life, covering topics such as diversifying the foods consumed, their impact on energy levels, the quality of sleep, posture correction, turning movement into a habit, time planning, and setting SMART goals.

"I'm glad that my daughter was part of this wonderful project with an impact. During the project, I felt her interest in achieving goals related to nutrition. We started going shopping together and paying attention to local, fresh products that are so necessary for a healthy diet" (parent).

The impact among beneficiaries just one year after the launch of the educational program is significant:

• Students' self-confidence has increased by 40%.
• Fast-food consumption has decreased by 20%, and the preference for raw nuts and seeds has increased by 20%, with more students including them in their daily diets. Additionally, 70% of students choose fresh fruit juices.

"The children have become much more communicative, organized, and respond more promptly to requests in class, and the relationship between me and them is much closer. I have also noticed new interests in sports and nutrition" (L.F., teacher).