If you want to find out more about activity and nutrition issues that affect your children and you, there are a lot of resources available.
Physician Contacts
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HealthySD.gov
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Printed Materials Order Form
Online Resources for Healthy Kids and Healthy Schools
Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK)
HYPERLINK "http://www.actionforhealthykids.org/" www.actionforhealthykids.org/
The AFHK site provides extensive tools, resources, and contacts from the 2005 Summit in Washington, DC, along well as materials from around the US. AFHK also offers a cut-and-paste tool for building an effective school wellness policy.
American Psychological Assoc: Task Force on Advertising and Children
HYPERLINK "http://www.apa.org/releases/childrenads.pdf" www.apa.org/releases/childrenads.pdf
Released in February 2004, this report outlines the effect of food and beverage advertising on children’s eating habits and their contribution to youth obesity. It also offers extensive recommendations for healthful changes.
BeefNutrition.org (National Cattlemen’s Beef Association)
HYPERLINK "http://www.beefnutrition.org/matehealthyschoolnutrition.aspx" www.beefnutrition.org/matehealthyschoolnutrition.aspx
Parent education handouts, presentation graphics (highlighting protein, iron, and zinc), and body image resources for adolescents (Mirror, Mirror) are just a few of the excellent materials available for downloading at this site.
California Dept. of Education: Academic Achievement and Physical Fitness
HYPERLINK "http://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/ne/yr02/yr02rel37.asp" www.cde.ca.gov/nr/ne/yr02/yr02rel37.asp
This study, released in December 2002, supports the connection between physical fitness levels of students in grades 5, 7, and 9 – and student performance of CA Department of Education Achievement Tests.
Dole 5 A Day
HYPERLINK "http://www.dole5aday.com/" www.dole5aday.com/
Dole was one of the first companies to create a nutrition education website – and this one keeps getting better. Log on for fruit and veggies facts, recipes, and fun. There are special sections for kids, parents, teachers, and school foodservice.
Farm to School
HYPERLINK "http://www.farmtoschool.org/" www.farmtoschool.org/
Farm to School programs connect schools with local farms with the objectives of serving healthy meals in school cafeterias, improving student nutrition, providing health and nutrition education opportunities that will last a lifetime, and supporting small farmers.
The Food Trust: Building strong communities through healthy food
HYPERLINK "http://www.thefoodtrust.org/" www.thefoodtrust.org/
The Food Trust's Healthy Beverage Toolkit is designed to help parents, teachers, food service professionals, school administrators and community leaders promote healthy beverages, by focusing on what beverages are sold and served to children at school.
Institute of Medicine ~ Preventing Childhood Obesity
HYPERLINK "http://www.iom.edu/report.asp?id=22596" www.iom.edu/report.asp?id=22596
IOM Committee on Prevention of Obesity in Children and Youth has developed a national strategy with specific actions for families, schools, industry, communities, and government in Preventing Childhood Obesity: Health in the Balance.
Kaiser Family Foundation Report: Role of the Media in Childhood Obesity
HYPERLINK "http://www.kff.org/entmedia/entmedia022404pkg.cfm" www.kff.org/entmedia/entmedia022404pkg.cfm
This 2004 report reviews over 40 studies to explore what researchers do and do not know about the role media plays in childhood obesity – and identifies ways media could help to address this important public health problem.
Maine Nutrition Network (MNN)
HYPERLINK "http://www.maine-nutrition.org/homepage.htm" www.maine-nutrition.org/homepage.htm
MNN is a collaboration coordinating nutrition activities to support the health of Maine people, including healthy recipes, Maine-ly Nutrition Education programs, and the new Maine Guide: Supporting Healthy Changes in School Nutrition Environments.
Michigan Department of Education
HYPERLINK "http://www.michigan.gov/documents/healthyweight_13649_7.pdf" www.michigan.gov/documents/healthyweight_13649_7.pdf
The Role of Michigan Schools in Promoting Healthy Weight: A Consensus Paper (2001) features guidance on excessive weight and weight gain; social pressure for excessive slenderness; and unsafe weight loss practices.
Michigan Team Nutrition
HYPERLINK "http://www.tn.fcs.msue.msu.edu/" www.tn.fcs.msue.msu.edu/
The partnership between MSU Extension and the MI Department of Education has dozens of resources for schools, including the new Michigan template for school districts to use to create their own local wellness policy.
Montana Team Nutrition Resources
HYPERLINK "http://www.opi.state.mt.us/" www.opi.state.mt.us/
Search on-site for PDF of excellent resources from Big Sky country, including Lewis and Clark Fitness Challenge Tool Kit, Mind and Body: Activities for the Elementary Classroom, and Recess Before Lunch: A Guide for Success.
National Eating Disorders Association
HYPERLINK "http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/" www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/
If you are concerned about the increasing risk of eating disorders and disordered eating patterns, you’ll want to bookmark this site – which offers information about National Eating Disorders Awareness Week along with statistics, handouts, and lots of links.
National Foodservice Management Institute
HYPERLINK "http://www.nfsmi.org/Information/index.html" www.nfsmi.org/Information/index.html
NFSMI offers training in Child Nutrition Management; a comprehensive catalog of materials for child nutrition professionals; and extensive research studies on foodservice and healthy school nutrition environments.
National Institutes of Health: Stay Young at Heart (Portion Distortion slides)
HYPERLINK "http://hin.nhlbi.nih.gov/portion"http://hin.nhlbi.nih.gov/portion
At this NIH page, you can download two different sets of PowerPoint slides on Portion Distortion. These can be used with a variety of groups and in a variety of settings to educate audiences about the role of portion size in America’s weight problem.
North Carolina’s ~ Eat Smart, Move More
HYPERLINK "http://www.eatsmartmovemorenc.com/" www.eatsmartmovemorenc.com/
This initiative promotes healthy eating and activity through environmental change, like North Carolina's Recommended Standards for All Foods Available in School – and physical activity standards too. Read dozens of success stories for tips and strategies.
Project LEAN (Leaders Encouraging Activity and Nutrition)
HYPERLINK "http://www.californiaprojectlean.org/" www.californiaprojectlean.org/
California Project LEAN, from The Public Health Institute, supports several projects, including Bright Ideas and a Superintendent’s Challenge, as well as Food on the Run: Your Energy Wake Up Call, a site with nutrition and active solutions for teens.
Rhode Island Kids First
HYPERLINK "http://www.kidsfirstri.org/" www.kidsfirstri.org/
Rhode Island’s Team Nutrition program offers numerous innovative resources on this site, including new lessons on Food Safety for all grade levels, best practices from Rhode Island cafeterias, and kid-tested, school-sized recipes.
School Nutrition Association (SNA, formerly American School Foodservice Asso.)
HYPERLINK "http://www.asfsa.org/" www.asfsa.org/
The 55,000+ members of SNA work in school nutrition all across the USA, and many are active in creating school-based nutrition programs for healthy kids. The site features news, research, and free promotional kits for school meals.
TV Turn-Off Network
HYPERLINK "http://www.tvturnoff.org" www.tvturnoff.org
If you are looking for resources related to the problems with excess TV time, this is the site for you. It is packed with links to research studies, fact sheets, and tips for families. TV Turnoff Week is in April 2006 -- but turning off the TV is definitely “in style” all year!
USDA My Pyramid: Steps to a Healthier You
HYPERLINK "http://www.mypyramid.gov/" www.mypyramid.gov/
Check this interactive site for all the details of the MyPyramid Eating Plan. Look inside the Pyramid (serving sizes, tips, etc.), download new graphics, and review features, like personalized Pyramid plans, My Pyramid Tracker, and My Pyramid for Kids.
USDA Team Nutrition
HYPERLINK "http://www.teamnutrition.usda.gov/" www.teamnutrition.usda.gov/
The Team Nutrition program is a goldmine of materials, kits, and local efforts to enhance school nutrition environments. You can download free materials; read about Team Nutrition success stories; and find out what is going on in your state.
USDA Team Nutrition ~ Fruits and Vegetables Galore
HYPERLINK "http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/Resources/fv_galore.html" http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/Resources/fv_galore.html
Fruits & Vegetables Galore: Helping Kids Eat More is a tool for school foodservice professionals packed with tips on planning, purchasing, protecting, preparing, presenting and promoting fruits and vegetables – to rejuvenate school cafeterias.
USDA Team Nutrition ~ HealthierUS School Challenge
HYPERLINK "http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/HealthierUS/index.html" http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/HealthierUS/index.html
The HealthierUS School Challenge recognizes schools that have taken steps to improve their school meal programs, address the problems of obesity, and to encourage other schools to follow their lead. Find out more in selection criteria and self-assessment form.
USDA Team Nutrition ~ Making It Happen
HYPERLINK "http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/Resources/makingithappen.html" http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/Resources/makingithappen.html
Making It Happen: School Nutrition Success Stories tells the stories of schools that have successfully implemented innovative approaches to offer and sell more nutritious foods and beverages to students and staff. Order your copy online today.
USDA Team Nutrition ~ The Power of Choice
HYPERLINK "http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/Resources/power_of_choice.html" http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/Resources/power_of_choice.html
Designed to help youth make healthy eating and fitness decisions, The Power of Choice is intended for after-school program leaders and middle school teachers. It's full of quick, simple things to do with kids; many activities take little or no pre-planning.
USDA Team Nutrition ~ School Wellness Policies
HYPERLINK "http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/Healthy/wellnesspolicy.html" http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/Healthy/wellnesspolicy.html
This site serves as a clearinghouse of information on the components that should be considered when establishing a school wellness policy. Examples of policies already developed by schools and State agencies are provided as resources and references.
Vista (CA) Unified School District ~ Healthy Vending Information
HYPERLINK "http://www.vusd.k12.ca.us/cns/healthyvending.htm" www.vusd.k12.ca.us/cns/healthyvending.htm
Enid Hohn, RD, Director of Child Nutrition Services in a large southern California school district, offers extensive information, including a PowerPoint presentation about the success of her healthful vending program.