Artie Beat, the British Heart Foundation’s (BHF) loveable mascot, joined the action at Lambeth Country Show last weekend to get children moving and protect their hearts.
The costume character got children skipping, hoola hooping and bouncing balls to show families how fun and easy it can be to stay active.
Keeping active is a great way to help protect your heart health. But worryingly, 28% of boys and 36% of girls in England don’t get the recommended amount of physical activity they need (1).
In the UK’s African Caribbean community, just 31% of adults manage the recommended amount of physical activity each week proving that all generations need to get moving.
Ali Orhan, BME Project Manager at the BHF, said: “We wanted to show families that exercise can be fun. It doesn’t have to be a chore and you don’t have to run miles or spend hours in the gym to stay healthy.
“It was great to see so many families having fun with Artie Beat. We hope that parents continue to encourage – and even join in with – their children in getting active this summer; simple games in the garden or the park are fun for all the family and help protect every generation’s heart health.”
The BHF sponsored the Activate Zone at Lambeth Country Show in Brockwell Park, Brixton, on July 20 & 21. Children should do at least 60 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity each day including brisk walking, PE lessons or swimming. At least twice a week, they should take part in activities that help to develop and maintain muscular strength, flexibility and bone health including climbing, gymnastics and dance.
To find out more about heart health for African Caribbean communities, visit bhf.org.uk/africancaribbean
