Caped crusader fights scourges like junk food, lack of physical activity in Toronto school

Who doesn't love a caped crusader?

Batman, Superman and their Justice League colleagues have been heroes for decades for their crime-fighting crusades against some of the scariest super-villains. Now, a new type of superhero is taking to a Toronto school to fight the latest scourge on society: poor eating habits and a lack of physical activity.

Jacob Garcia is Our Lady of Fatima's so-called "Fun Boy," who runs around his school peeking into lunchboxes for evidence of healthy snacks and encouraging kids to get active during recess.

His efforts are part of a school-wide initiative to improve the overall health of students, as well as their families, in line with the Healthy Schools Certification program started by Ophea, a non-profit that promotes healthy, active living in schools and communities.

On Wednesday, Our Lady of Fatima became one of 54 schools across Ontario to receive gold certification in the program. Another 37 schools received silver certification and 16 received bronze certification.

Garcia, a Grade 7 student, said Thursday that he dons his cape before heading into classrooms to see what kids are eating for a snack.

"Sometimes they might quickly hide it," Garcia told CBC's Metro Morning. "It's OK because sometimes we give them advice for the next time we come over."

Garcia, 12, and his female counterpart hand out wristbands and stickers to reward students for their healthy habits.

'Kids relate to superheroes'

Teacher Colleen Reel said the school chose to take part in the program because students were developing poor eating habits. Having a McDonald's next door wasn't helping, she said.

Administration decided to make the student activists in the program superheroes because kids love them.

"Kids relate to superheroes," Reel told Metro Morning. "Look at our movies, look at our comics, look at what they love."

The school doesn't just target students. Parents have been invited to cooking classes and to luncheons to eat healthy foods with their kids. The school also held Family Fit Nights for parents and their children to participate in fitness activities.

This school year was the certification program's inaugural year. Staff at Ophea work with schools to identify areas in which they can improve health and wellness. The program follows a six-step Healthy Schools Process, which was developed in line with the Ontario Ministry of Education's Foundation for a Healthy School framework.

"We were thrilled to see the impact that Healthy Schools Certification has made this year within school communities across the province. With a strong emphasis on student engagement and community partnerships, schools took the steps needed to plan and implement innovative and exciting activities and strategies," Ophea executive director Chris Markham said in a statement.

"We congratulate all certified Healthy Schools for fostering sustainable healthy living practices and prioritizing the well-being of students and the school community."

Registration for next year's certification program opens on Sept. 6.