Children are being encouraged to take part in a health challenge to encourage good habits from an early age.

Yesterday organisers of the second Live Health Bermuda 100 Day Challenge — a community programme encouraging wellness — said children would be able to take part when it launches next month.

The first challenge was started by the Bermuda Diabetes Association, Aspen Insurance, Lindo's Supermarket, the Department of Health and Quaker Oats in January this year.

Participants formed teams and competed with other teams' in physical activity and weight loss on the Live Health Bermuda website.

Yesterday, Terry Faulkenberry, one of the organisers for Aspen Insurance, said they hoped involving children would encourage wellness from a young age.

He said: "As a result of the success of the first 100 Day Challenge we wanted to extend it to get children involved.

"There will be no weight loss component, it will be only physical activity. I think we recognise that we are spending a lot of money on health issues as adults and many of these are preventable.

"Rather than treat people after they are sick we need to treat people before they get sick and get people to change their lifestyles and make wellness part of the cure."

The next challenge will start in the first week of January and those wanting to take part in the second round can sign-up at www.livehealthybermuda.org.

Adults will begin recording their activity and weight loss on January 23 and will finish at the Caitlin End-to-End event on May 2.

Children will begin their programme on February 1, but will also end on May 2.

There will, however, be no sign-up fee for children thanks to a $15,000 donation organisers received from the Bermuda End-to-End Charitable Trust.

Yesterday the Trust's chairman Anne Mello said the donation was part of their vision to ensure an entire life of healthy living.

She said: "Everyone behind the Catlin End-to-End event believes in health for the entire community. Our donation of $15,000 to this programme was made because we believe children's health and fitness is important, and this is a wonderful way to encourage this."

An adult team captain will form a team of five to 30 members to include children from areas such as a school class, school club, church group or other youth organisation. Children of any age from preschool through to high school can take part.

Mr. Faulkenberry added: "We wanted to remove as many barriers as possible for children to sign up for this great event. With a tremendous donation from the Bermuda End-to-End charity, we will be able to offer participation to any child free of charge.

"The Bermuda End-to-End is providing the funding necessary to build the website and provide the web hosting for 2009 — which has really made the programme possible."

For more information, please email info@livehealthybermuda.org.