Why we created I Wanna Be Like You:
It’s no secret that the health of children across the UK and around the world is worsening. Obesity and diabetes levels are rising whilst physical activity levels continue to fall. A lot of great work is being done to interrupt this and it is having some impact but this is not sufficient. The health of children in the UK is getting worse and the future doesn't look good.
Current initiatives focused on improving the health of children address their environment (i.e. improved school dinners), their education (i.e. healthy eating in the national curriculum) and their opportunities to eat better and be more active (i.e. specialist kids fitness classes).
Whilst all of these elements are critical, there is very little if anything out there that is really addressing childrens ownership and responsibility for their health. Without ownership, without sufficient levels of motivation, inspiration, passion or commitment on the part of children, any improvement in education, environment, resources or opportunities can only ever have a limited impact.
Our Mission:
I Wanna Be Like U has been created to inspire children to live healthier lives and to impact their attitude towards their health, so that they make healthier lifestyle choices naturally because they choose to do so.
I Wanna Be Like U achieves this by leveraging off the relationship children already have with their heroes, to people they admire and aspire to be like. Children naturally listen to and model the people they look up to. I Wanna Be Like U is intended to provide a fun, engaging platform for children to listen to, learn from and be inspired by their heroes by hearing directly from them around what they do to take care of themselves and why. Watch the video below and it will give you a flavour of what I Wanna Be Like U is about.