Introduction
‘My Body, My Health: My Wealth’ is a South African campaign aiming to promote healthier lifestyles and reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases among adolescents and young people.
My Body, My Health: My Wealth
Overview
Background
The ‘My Body, My Health: My Wealth’ campaign was launched during National Nutrition Week (October 2022), with the central themes “Making healthy food choices easier’ for all” and “Invest in my health, I am worth it!” Led by UNICEF South Africa, with support from AstraZeneca’s Young Health Programme, the campaign ultimately seeks to reduce non-communicable diseases by supporting and encouraging children, adolescents and young people in South Africa to “to make healthier choices in their own lives as well as to advocate for healthy, safe and fun spaces in their communities and across the country.” Source
Co-designed by young South African volunteers, the ‘My Body, My Health: My Wealth’ campaign comprises of both online and traditional media elements, with core messaging being delivered through social media, live challenges, social influencers and creative design. Source
“The high rates of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents in South Africa are extremely concerning… Investing in and enabling adolescents and young people to improve their mental wellbeing and physical lifestyles, particularly adolescent and young women, will save lives and ensure a more prosperous future for society as a whole.”
– UNICEF South Africa Deputy Representative Muriel Mafico [Source: UNICEF]
Latest youth career opportunities and events in South Africa
Baseline report on diet and physical activity
‘My Body, My Health: My Wealth’ was launched following the publication of a UNICEF summary report in March 2022, which reported on baseline diet and physical activity amongst children, adolescents and young people in South Africa. The report found that poor diet and physical activity among young South Africans was largely influenced by a lack of healthy food availability and affordability in neighbourhoods and schools, as well as general lack of dietary knowledge among students and teachers. Source
The report laid out a number of key recommendations for key stakeholders and the South African government to improve the diet and physical activity among adolescents and young people in South Africa.
Implementation and funding
Collateral examples
Social media post examples
Have you ever thought about what influences your food choices? Or what are some things that others do to stay physically active and support their mental wellness? Hear what Lisakhanya’langa Mbongo, from the University of the Western Cape, had to say! #MyBodyMyHealthMyWealth pic.twitter.com/4YbyPndPIV
— UNICEF South Africa (@UNICEF_SA) June 25, 2023
Started my morning with the latest episode of Health Beat from @Bhekisisa_MG, big focus on the mental health impacts of loadshedding.@miamalan check out this poster we worked on for @UNICEF_SA for a youth-led campaign on NCD prevention and awareness! #MyBodyMyHealthMyWealth pic.twitter.com/13QTEc7r7q
— Kathryn Cleary (@clearlykath) March 28, 2023
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