Parents are key influence in their children’s health and wellbeing

Gemma Flynn: Parents are key influence in their children’s health and wellbeing

Black Sticks player Gemma Flynn says it’s more important than ever that parents take responsibility for their children’s health and wellbeing. (Pictured with my granddaughter Riley.)

“I believe that growing healthy, happy, resilient children starts at home. It’s crucial to instil good habits and behaviours in children at an early age, and parents need to lead it by being supportive and setting a good example,” says Gemma.

With a degree in Sport and Exercise Science from Massey University and experience working with individuals and groups, Gemma challenges people to be the best they can be.

Gemma runs a business called the 100% Project, which aims to open people’s eyes to the benefits of exercise, nutrition and balance to live a happier and healthier life. As well as organisations, the 100% Project works with schools to equip staff and students with the tools and skills needed to be the best they can be.

“Healthy body, healthy mind,” says Gemma. “Establishing a positive relationship with food and an understanding of the importance of being active will set children on the right path. Importantly, it also helps to develop good self-esteem and resilience.”

Digital devices are often cited as a barrier to healthy living. Gemma says we need to accept that technology is here to stay and recognise the potential to harness it to motivate and engage people in a healthy lifestyle.

The AIA Healthy Kids Challenge is a good example of this and Gemma is the latest sports star to lend support to the programme. The health and wellbeing initiative cleverly combines technology and leading New Zealand athletes to inspire, motivate and educate primary school children and their parents to lead healthier lives.

Launched by AIA New Zealand on 18 August, with support from international rugby winger Cory Jane, the programme has experienced an overwhelming response. Registrations exceeded the 15,000 target within two weeks of the programme’s launch.

“I’m pleased to be a part of the AIA Healthy Kids Challenge. It’s a wonderful initiative that brings people together and encourages quality family time,” says Gemma.

“Children want to spend time with their parents – this programme provides a fun way for families to be active together and, importantly, it sets manageable goals.”

AIA New Zealand Head of Marketing and Communications, David Savidan, says: “We’re delighted at the phenomenal response the AIA Healthy Kids Challenge has generated. It really highlights the relevance of health and wellbeing education programmes in schools, and we’re excited to have Gemma Flynn’s support to reinforce these important messages to children and their parents.”

Gemma, who has two older brothers, credits her parents with their healthy approach to exercise and eating. “We enjoyed a lot of typical Kiwi family activities when I was growing up: bike riding, swimming at the beach, walking our dogs. And at sport, my parents were always there on the side-lines to support me and my brothers.

“My parents also inspired in us a healthy relationship with food. We always ate breakfast; we sat down at the table to eat dinner together every night; and we approached treats as just that, treats.”

Gemma encourages parents to get involved in the AIA Healthy Kids Challenge and get active as a family.

As part of the AIA Healthy Kids Challenge, each child receives a free pedometer to count the number of steps they take every day; each child also gets to create their own unique avatar. The programme records each class’s daily average steps, giving them the opportunity to win prizes, including AIA sports grants and Huawei Tablets for their school.

The children’s journey will be captured in a virtual online world showing the progress of their avatars as they work together to unlock new destinations. As children complete each leg, they’re shown an animated video of their avatar exploring each new place with Gemma and Cory, and other New Zealand sporting stars. They learn about the history and culture of the countries they ‘visit’, and get health tips on the way around.

Parents can use the website or download the challenge app and track their own steps. The more parents each participating class has involved, the more chances the class has to win great prizes.

There are opportunities for parents to win prizes too.

Signups for this year’s AIA Healthy Kids Challenge have closed but teachers are invited to register their interest for next year’s programme. The 2016 programme gets underway on 26 October.

Post Publication Notes:

• Primary school children signups to the free AIA Healthy Kids Challenge have exceeded 15,000 and registrations have now closed
• Parents of participating children are invited to sign up to the AIA Healthy Kids Challenge at www.healthykids.kiwi to support their children
• Parents can participate via the website or via our AIA Healthy Kids Challenge App
• Each participating student receives a free pedometer and can create their own individual avatar
• Sporting and equipment grants, and 50 Huawei Tablets to be won
• The five-week programme begins on 26 October

About AIA New Zealand

AIA New Zealand is a member of the AIA Group. Since the company arrived in New Zealand in 1981, AIA New Zealand has consistently provided the market with innovative personal and business insurance products that suit the Kiwi way of life.

Today AIA offers a complete range of risk management products that focus on the needs of customers. AIA New Zealand is based in Auckland with regional offices in Wellington and Christchurch. However, through a network of financial advisers, AIA reaches every corner of the country.

AIA New Zealand is a member of the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme (IFSO) and the Health Funds Association of New Zealand (HFANZ). Standard and Poor’s reaffirmed AIA New Zealand’s insurer financial strength rating at AA- in September 2015.