Port Solent nurse aims to reduce children's junk food intake through music and picture books
A NURSE from Port Solent is usings songs and picture books to help children make better food choices and limit junk food.
Patsy Hobson, 50, has produced six picture books featuring animated bird Viscount Vulchico who educates children about the food groups that make up healthy eating.
The independent nurse consultant, who previously worked at Queen Alexandra and St James Hospitals, came up with the idea after becoming increasingly concerned about the impact of childhood obesity on adults she had been caring for.
Patsy has also penned a series of three-minute songs – the first of which, Didilia Didilia What’s My Name?, is performed by a group of cartoon characters on YouTube.
Patsy said: ‘I’ve worked in the NHS for more than 25 years and over that time I’ve seen many families accept junk food as part of everyday life. I have even seen friends and family members struggle with encouraging their children to eat healthily.
‘When my nieces were younger, they were heavily influenced by television commercials advertising sugary and fatty snacks, and as a result, it was difficult for them not to become addicted to junk food.’
As an experienced nurse, Patsy has seen how healthy lifestyle habits formed in childhood are more likely to last into adulthood – and so the idea for the children’s songs and picture books was born.
She said: ‘Research advocates that early childhood is the best time to build healthy habits with children that will continue well into their adult years. That’s why I created the character of Viscount Vulchico.
‘In the picture books, Viscount Vulchico goes on a journey to learn about the food groups that make up healthy eating. It’s all about going back to the basics of what constitutes healthy eating as advocated by many nutritionists and experts.’
Patsy is also passionate about working with disadvantaged families and is hoping that the songs and picture books will be used to support families from all backgrounds.
She added: ‘We have to tackle some of the things that may contribute to poor families resorting to buying junk food, including making healthy food such as vegetables and fruits cheaper than junk food, not the other way around.’