National 5+ a day campaign launched

Nathan Fien gives Taylor Davis-Hughes, 7, the healthy-eating message at Birkdale North Primary yesterday. Picture / Kenny Rodger

The banana disappears in less than a minute and 7-year-old Taylor Davis-Hughes declares it's his favourite fruit.

"Then apples are my second best," the Birkdale North Primary School pupil says.

Yesterday marked the launch of the national 5+ A Day campaign and Warriors players Jerome Ropati and Nathan Fien were on hand to give out bananas, oranges and apples to pupils at the decile 5 North Shore City school.

While some students couldn't be persuaded to have even one piece of fruit others were keen to have a bit of everything if they could.

"I think it's a good idea because I can be more fit and you have more energy to run around and play with your friends," said 9-year-old Shannon Boyle.

The focus of this year's campaign, which is now running in about 30 countries, is trying to eat the colour way - that means reds for a healthy heart and increased memory, and yellows/orange for healthy vision and the immune system.

Paula Dudley, general manager of 5+ A Day, said research showed "Children will eat fruit and veges as long as they are given the opportunity to do so.

"If we are going to establish behaviour we need to continue to make sure they have access to fruit and vegetables."

At a time when obesity and diabetes were growing problems it was hoped that extending the campaign from a week to a month would allow habits to be learned and maintained.

Fien told the pupils part of his job as one of the Warriors was to stay fit and healthy and that meant eating plenty of fruits and vegetables.

"It's a big part of every day for me.

"Not only do I feel healthy and good about myself, when I'm doing weights it helps me get stronger ... it also helps with my concentration when doing all those tackles."

Principal Gordon Peterson said the school was part of the Ministry of Health's health promoting schools programme.

"The younger children take the message on and are very proud of doing the right thing at five or six.

"It's not such a big thrill when they get to 10 or 11."