The campaign aims to link the healthy eating habits of ‘footballing heroes’ to how they play, promoting positive healthy eating messages for children across Great Britain.
Stuart Machin, chief executive of M&S, commented: “By harnessing the influence of the players as role models, we want to encourage children and families to make healthier food choices through choosing Eat Well.
“We have nearly 2,000 delicious Eat Well products across our food hall, and online through Ocado, from great quality fruit and vegetables to meals, snack and drinks, all at trusted value. We’re constantly developing and improving our ranges, to give our customers delicious, healthier choices every day.”
According to the M&S Family Matters Survey 53% of Brits are concerned about family health and 33% share concerns on getting nutritious food into their diets.
The National Child Measurement Programme report, published by NHS Digital, found obesity prevalence among four and five-year-olds in reception classes rose from 9.9% in 2019-20 to 14.4% in 2020-21. Among year six pupils, who are aged between ten and 11-years-old, obesity prevalence increased from 21% in 2019-20 to 25.5% in 2020-21.
The proportion of children who were a healthy weight dropped between 2020-21 and 2019-20 – among reception children it fell from 76.1% to 71.3% and among year six pupils it fell from 63.4% to 57.8%.
England Men’s Team manager Gareth Southgate, said: “We believe the fuel and recovery habits of all England players play an important role in their development and performance and partnering with M&S Food on joint initiatives will help inspire and influence this across the England Pathway of teams from Men’s, Women’s, Youth and Disability teams.”