When something is as successful and compelling as the hugely popular “Star Wars” franchise, it’s hardly surprising that some children spend too much time sitting watching DVDs and playing computer games based around it.
So how do you get those children to be more physically active to benefit their current and future health and help combat the rising problem of obesity? The answer is to team up the allure of Star Wars with the benefits of being active, and that is exactly what a new initiative hopes to achieve.
Public Health England is joining forces with Disney (which now owns the Star Wars franchise) to launch a new Chage4Life “Train Like a Jedi” programme encouraging children to be physically active like their big screen heroes. As Star Wars fans know, ‘Jedi knights’ train from a young age to become skillful warriors against ‘the dark side’ in the eternal battle of good against evil.
The new Change4Life ‘Train Like a Jedi’ programme uses the excitement of Star Wars and its characters – alongside Double Olympic Gold medallist Jade Jones –to increase levels of physical activity amongst children in England. It is recommended that children do at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day, yet just 23% of boys and 20% of girls aged five to 15 currently achieve this.
This year marks the fifth year that PHE and Disney have worked together to inspire children to move more, with an estimated 300 million minutes of activity inspired to date. A new survey from PHE and Disney found more than four out of five children (82%) would be inspired to move more if they saw their favourite characters being active. With Star Wars characters ranking as favourites among UK children aged seven to 11, the programme makes physical activity fun and inspires children to move.
Looking at factors which influence children to be more active, the survey also found:
- 59% of children say they would be more active if exercise felt fun
- children (58%) and parents (55%) ranked friends as the most influential figure in encouraging children to be more physically active
- 99% of children say they enjoy doing physical activity or sports with their parent or carer.
Building a new generation of ‘Jedi younglings’, British taekwondo athlete and double Olympic gold medallist Jade Jones leads children through a series of Jedi-inspired moves in an exciting new play-along video, with a special appearance from Star Wars droid BB-8.
Taking inspiration from the traits of iconic Jedi such as Luke Skywalker and Rey, ‘Train Like a Jedi’ helps children learn six key skills – technique, strength, stamina, speed, agility and mastery. The sequence of moves has been specially designed to increase children’s heart rates and benefit health.
The video is designed for children to play along anywhere – either in groups, with their friends, family, or by themselves – and will help children meet the daily recommended physical activity guidelines they need for healthy development and to maintain a healthy weight. The ‘Train Like a Jedi’ activity can be done in 10-minute bursts throughout the day.
In addition to the video, the campaign will include regional events, advertising, social media activity and a free Star Wars-themed pack with mini active challenges for the summer holidays. Packs will be made available through primary schools before the summer holidays.
Commenting on the new programme, Jade Jones said: “Inspiring kids to get active is something I’m really passionate about, so I was thrilled to get the opportunity to help kids across the country with Change4Life and Star Wars. It was great fun to create the Jedi-inspired moves which can be done anytime and anywhere – both at school and home. I hope that through this new programme we can inspire a new generation to move more by showing kids that physical activity can be really fun.”
More support came from actor Mark Hamill, who portrayed Jedi knight Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars films: “If you want to become a Jedi like Luke Skywalker or Rey, then you need to be fit, healthy and strong,” he said. “This summer, Change4Life can help you Train Like a Jedi. May the Force be with you.”
● You can find out more about the Change4Life ‘Train Like a Jedi’ programme by clicking here.