Getting hands-on experience in the kitchen is the latest step in building lifelong healthy habits for younger South Australians, as part of the Malinauskas Labor Government’s obesity prevention campaign.

Together with Jodie Oddy and Andrew Hayes from Nova 919’s Jodie & Haysey Breakfast Show, Sprout Cooking School owner and MasterChef finalist Callum Hann has hosted a cooking session for a school class as part of Preventive Health SA’s LiveLighter obesity prevention campaign.

LiveLighter encourages South Australians to recognise what goes into their food and encourages a more balanced diet including eating more fresh fruit and vegetables.

“Getting kids in the kitchen cooking up delicious, nutritious food in a fun way is a great way to teach them about healthy habits,” said Premier Chris Picton.

“Learning to enjoy how to prepare food and planning for nutritious and tasty meals is something we want to encourage,” said Preventive Health SA Chief Executive Marina Bowshall.

“Even small steps towards eating well and making healthier food choices can make a big difference to your health.”

Kids cooking

The aim of the cooking school opportunity is to get children involved in preparing nutritious snacks and lunches, and learning about how food and drink choices can affect their health, learning and energy levels throughout the day.

“It is a privilege to be able to share my passion for cooking and the importance of nutrition and where food comes from in a fun environment,” said Sprout Cooking School head chef Callum Hann.

“We aim to use our classes to learn in a 100 per cent hands on environment, to build confidence, but more importantly a healthy lifelong relationship with food and cooking. We believe that good health starts in the kitchen.”

Addressing obesity

Preventive Health SA’s LiveLighter obesity prevention campaign aligns with the objectives laid out in the National Obesity Prevention Strategy 2022-2032 to address obesity, which is now the leading risk factor for preventable health conditions, overtaking smoking.

Obesity puts people at greater risk of many diseases and health problems, including heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes. South Australia has the nation’s highest rate of diabetes.

The LiveLighter campaign is part of a collaboration on obesity prevention including Preventive Health SA, Cancer Council SA and the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI).

The latest data from Preventive Health SA shows 66 per cent of adults and 37.1 per cent of children across South Australia are overweight or living with obesity.