Physical activity and healthy eating among Estonian children: exploring and testing interventions that work
In order to improve children’s physical activity and dietary habits in schools and kindergartens in Estonia, evidence-based interventions will be piloted in 2024–2025.
The project, led by Praxis Think Tank and carried out in cooperation with the Uni-versity of Tartu, addresses the growing challenges of insufficient physical activity and unbalanced eating among kindergarteners and school children.
Five interventions have been selected, focusing on encouraging healthier beha-viours, such as rearranging the order of foods served during meals, providing small portions of cut fruits and vegetables, and promoting active outdoor recess. From the beginning of 2025, these interventions will be tested in 68 schools and kindergartens with the aim of preventing health risks, reducing childhood obesity, and supporting lifelong healthy behaviours.
The project will assess how well these measures can be adapted to the Estonian context and what resources are needed for successful implementation. Results will be analysed in 2025 to determine effective health-promotion strategies.