Gasol Foundation water initiative expands to benefit 5,420 vulnerable children across Barcelona schools this academic year.
The renewed partnership with Aigües de Barcelona comes as concerning data reveals over 50% of participating children face weight issues, significantly higher than the national average of 37%.
Furthermore, the collaboration enters its third consecutive year with an expanded reach across 26 educational centres in Barcelona and its metropolitan area.
Your browser does not support the video tag.
The programme specifically targets schools in socioeconomically vulnerable environments where childhood obesity rates present alarming health challenges.
Water Module Transforms School Hydration Habits
The initiative’s innovative Water Module uses games and physical activity to encourage water consumption among children aged 8-12. Scientific evidence consistently shows that meeting daily water recommendations significantly reduces childhood obesity risk. Meanwhile, national data indicates more than 70% of Spanish children fail to reach recommended water intake levels.
Dr Santi F. Gómez, Global Director of Research and Programmes at the Gasol Foundation, explains their approach: “We promote water consumption in a fun way, linked to play and physical activity. Consequently, we reinforce the message that hydrating with water is essential for healthy growth, thereby contributing to reducing health inequalities.”
Additionally, the partnership renewal follows comprehensive research identifying significant barriers to water access in school environments. The study found many school water points were either unavailable, non-potable, poorly maintained, or positioned at inappropriate heights for children.
School Infrastructure Improvements Needed
The qualitative analysis conducted by the Gasol Foundation revealed practical challenges affecting hydration habits. Many water fountains lacked shade coverage, affecting water temperature and taste during warmer months. Moreover, difficult-to-use push buttons and inadequate maintenance further discouraged regular use.
Felipe Campos, CEO of Aigües de Barcelona, emphasised their commitment: “At Aigües de Barcelona, we work to ensure water remains a source of health and equity. This alliance with the Gasol Foundation allows us to reach children who need it most and promote real habit changes through schools.”
The programme forms part of broader municipal health initiatives supported by Barcelona City Council. Since its launch in 2020, the healthy habits project has reached 28,077 children through 147 educational centres across several Spanish regions, demonstrating significant scalable impact.
Therefore, this renewed collaboration represents a crucial step toward addressing childhood health inequalities through practical, evidence-based interventions. The partners remain committed to transforming school environments into spaces that actively promote healthy hydration and combat childhood obesity.
Stay connected with us on social media for the latest updates and news!
TikTok | Instagram | YouTube | X
Source: Read original article
