ADVERTISING
Mayor Akdeniz: Strengthened sustainable health awareness among children
From May to December 2025, the city of Darmstadt successfully implemented and has now completed a new health project. Entitled "Fit from an Early Age," the project saw the first comprehensive preventative health program implemented at the Wirbelwind daycare center in the Arheilgen district, involving children, parents, and educators alike. The project was funded by Merck BKK and carried out in cooperation with the Healthy City and Early Intervention coordination centers.
“Health is a cornerstone for the positive development of our children. By introducing them to the importance of an active and healthy lifestyle from an early age, we lay the foundation for a healthy upbringing,” explains Mayor and Head of Social Services Barbara Akdeniz. The Wirbelwind daycare center provided an ideal setting for conveying key concepts in a playful and practical way.
Holistic approach including exercise, nutrition and resilience
The "Fit from an Early Age" project pursued a holistic approach, combining exercise, nutrition, and psychosocial aspects. Its aim was to raise children's awareness of healthy lifestyles at an early age while simultaneously supporting parents and educators. Participants were gently introduced to the topic of health through several workshops.
In a participatory process, the daycare center decided on three specific measures: programs to promote the health of the educators, to foster resilience and relaxation in everyday family life, and to playfully address the children's feelings and emotions. These priorities were developed and implemented collaboratively throughout the project.
Close cooperation between the project partners
Mayor Akdeniz particularly emphasized the cooperative approach: Through collaboration with Merck BKK and the city's coordination offices, it was possible to pool expertise and resources. The goal was to develop a sustainable awareness of health among the children. In addition to the project partners, she expressly thanked the staff and management of the Wirbelwind daycare center, who supported the project with great dedication.
Merck BKK also draws a positive conclusion. As a company health insurance fund located in the immediate vicinity of the daycare center, providing practical support to families regarding children's health is a key priority. The experiences from the project demonstrate the importance of raising children's awareness of exercise, healthy eating, and managing emotions from an early age, while simultaneously providing reliable support to parents and educators.
Funding via the Prevention Act
The "Fit from an Early Age" program was developed in cooperation between the German Association of Company Health Insurance Funds and other partners. Funding was provided through the Prevention Act according to Section 20a of the German Social Code, Book V (SGB V). With its successful completion in Arheilgen, the City of Darmstadt considers the project an important component of early childhood health promotion.
(Darmstadt - Red/PSD/DK)
