A free, online lifestyle self-assessment service to help teenagers
improve
their health and wellbeing is being rolled out nationally by the
Department
of Health today.
NHS Teen LifeCheck uses an engaging and interactive quiz
to offer health
and lifestyle information to 12-15 year olds. Hosted entirely
online, it
guides young people through a set of completely confidential,
simple
multiple choice questions and then gives them tailored advice on
how
they can set goals to improve their lifestyles.
Gillian Merron,
Public Health Minister, said:
"Teenage years can be a difficult enough
time without having to worry
about your health. NHS Teen LifeCheck is a quick
and easy way of
checking your health which gives simple advice on how to be
healthier.
We've worked with young people to develop an effective and
accessible
service which is completely confidential."
The online tool
offers information on a range of issues including
physical activity,
nutrition, solvents and illegal drugs, sexual health,
alcohol and smoking.
NHS Teen LifeCheck also covers emotional wellbeing
- with advice and top tips
about stress, bullying, relationships and
self-esteem as well as providing
links to support services.
The advice given includes 'how to' videos with
lifestyle tips from other
teenagers who have taken an NHS LifeCheck
themselves.
NHS Teen LifeCheck has been developed in consultation with a
wide range
of health professionals and research experts, as well as being
tested by
young people themselves. It is non-judgmental, totally confidential
and
no identifying data is kept.
Primarily aimed at 12-15 year olds,
it has already been successfully
promoted in 83 local areas across the
country.
Jessica Aspey, 13, a year nine pupil at Highfields School in
Matlock,
Derbyshire said, "I didn't use to eat a lot of fruit and
vegetables
because I preferred chocolate and crisps. I went on the NHS
Teen
LifeCheck website and really liked it. I learned how to be healthy,
and
stay healthy."
Thousands of teens from schools in and around Leeds
are today being
given the opportunity to complete an NHS Teen LifeCheck at
the 'Be
Sporty Fun Day' at Leeds Rugby Club, Headingley, aimed at
encouraging
young people to try new physical activities.
The national
roll out of NHS Teen LifeCheck will be supported by an
integrated marketing
campaign to raise awareness of the service amongst
young people. Advertising
will feature the faces of four teenagers each
asking the question 'Am I
Normal?'. The adverts will appear on bus
shelters and popular teenage
websites. Posters and postcards will appear
in schools, and a roadshow will
be visiting shopping centres this
summer.
NHS Teen LifeCheck can be
accessed by teenagers in their own homes and
may also be available through
PHSE or ICT lessons in schools.
NHS Teen LifeCheck is one of three NHS
LifeCheck services. NHS Early
Years LifeCheck, aimed at parents and carers
of five - eight month old
babies and NHS Mid-life LifeCheck, aimed at 45-60
year olds, are being
rolled out nationally later this year.
For more information about Teen LifeCheck please contact: the Department
of
Health Newsdesk on 020 7210 5221.
Notes to Editors
About NHS
LifeCheck
* NHS LifeCheck informs, empowers and supports
people in leading
healthier lives. It helps them to understand how their
current lifestyle
choices may affect their long-term well-being and
offers guidance in making
small but effective changes
* In the public
consultation "Your Health,
Your Care, Your Say" people clearly expressed
an interest in taking more
responsibility for their health and
wellbeing. Three quarters of participants
identified regular health
checks as a top priority to help them do this.
*
In response, the 2006
Government White Paper 'Our Health, Our Care, Our Say'
announced the
development of three initial NHS LifeChecks:
- one for young
people aged
12 - 15
- one for parents and carers with babies five - eight
months old
and
- one for the 45 - 60 years age group
* Jessica Aspey's
quote was
provided as a NHS Teen LifeCheck case study thanks to Derbyshire
CountyCouncil
About 'Be Sporty Fun Day'
* The Leeds Rugby
Foundation's "Be Sporty Fun
Day" is a unique sporting event designed to
engage young people in sport
and physical activity
* The event is taking
place at Headingley Carnegie
Stadium on Wednesday 10th June and is set to
offer young people the
opportunity to participate in a range of events
including: rugby,
basketball, cheerleading, football, netball, golf, cricket,
BMX &
Cycling, athletics and racket sports
* There will also be an
opportunity
for young people to meet some of the favourite sports
personalities in
the "Meet the stars zone" and speak to education providers
about careers
in sport
* Over two thousands secondary school pupils from
across Leeds
and Bradford are expected to participate throughout the day
and
organisers hope this will become an annual occurrence
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