School lunches and snacks are becoming more nutritious thanks to improved federal nutrition regulations—but this is only part of the school food solution. Nutrition education for kids is a critical component. One seasoned children’s TV producer, who witnessed the childhood obesity epidemic as she raised her own kids, had an idea to use new technology to engage kids in learning about healthy living. Because of her, thousands of kids in Massachusetts, New York, and Florida have begun learning through KickinNutrition.TV, a digital platform for teachers to use to instruct students on healthy eating habits and exercise through videos, online gaming, and a social-media-like engagement designed for elementary- and middle-schoolers. EMERGENCE Awareness/Learn: Natasha Lance Rogoff worked ...
A new program in north Fort Collins is working to address health disparities by providing Latinos with more opportunities for bike safety education. The Vida Sana program---an initiative the Coalition for Activity and Nutrition to Defeat Obesity (CanDo) which and funded by the state and led by The University of Colorado Health---looks for ways to remove barriers to leading a healthy lifestyle for Latinos. According to a news article in the Coloradoan, without proper knowledge of biking in Fort Collins, individuals may feel stressed when traveling by bike. In order to overcome this barrier, Vida Sana is offering culturally appropriate bicycle education which will empower individuals to use their bikes regardless of age, ability or background. To make this opportunity ...
Spinach pancakes with homemade berry syrup? This is one of Febe Hernandez and her family's new favorite recipes thanks to the healthy lifestyle classes she's been attending at the Casa de Colores Headstart Center in Caldwell, Idaho. Children of migrant farmworkers living in Southern Idaho are now able to benefit from a new pilot program aimed at preventing childhood obesity among Latinos. The program, an initiative of the nonprofit Community Council of Idaho, was developed to teach parents important nutrition concepts, healthier ways of preparing food, and how to keep physically active. According to an Idaho Statesmen news article, the Community Council of Idaho recognized the need for such a program after realizing that over one-third of children in local head start centers ...
How did smallish Berkeley, Calif., become the nation’s first city to pass a sugary drink tax in 2014, after many other cities had failed? People power! Local health advocates like Xavier Morales had long supported a tax on sugary drinks, believing the higher price would discourage consumption. Research studies indicate that such a decrease in consumption could potentially reduce obesity and diabetes rates, especially for Latino kids. Because Latino children are heavily targeted by sugary drink and junk food advertisements, this issue was especially important to Berkeley’s 11% Latino community. In the end, it took passionate advocates, a well-organized campaign for a sugary drink tax, and national attention to eventually bring sweet victory for public health advocates in ...
Watch the video to see how CHALK'S efforts are inspiring a culture of health among Latinos in upper Manhattan. Latino kids and families of a primarily a Dominican and Mexican community in Washington Heights (northern Manhattan), are living a healthier lifestyle thanks to help from the Choosing Healthy & Active Lifestyles for Kids (CHALK) initiative. The CHALK initiative is a collaborative between the New York-Presbyterian Hospital, the Columbia University Medical Center, and a taskforce of several community affiliates, that was started in 2008. In 2012, the program was adopted as a permanent program of the New York-Presbyterian Hospital. As part of the program, local bodegas, pharmacies, schools, restaurants and community fitness centers, provide the community with ...
Families and children in Ohio are one step closer to having increased access to school playgrounds during non-school hours, thanks to legislation recently passed by Ohio lawmakers. According to a blog from the American Heart Association (AHA), legislators enacted this bill on December 17, 2014. The bill will become law 90 days after it's signed by state Governor John R. Kasich. The bill which was supported by State Rep. Gerald Stebelton (R-Lancaster) helps clarify concerns around liability. Often such issues can keep school districts from allowing facilities to be shared with the public during after school hours. “The ability for schools to open up their doors to the community will help maximize community involvement and hopefully begin to support activities that lead to ...
Students from Portland State University are paving the way for a new parklet to be built in the city's SoMa eco district, on Southwest 4th Avenue. The parklet would bring outdoor seating to the area, encourage active transportation, and promote a greater sense of community. Food carts in the area of the planned parklet already attract many locals. With the added parklet locals would also have a place to sit and gather. Once complete, this would mark Portland's third parklet. The students are currently working to raise $15,350 through a crowdfunding campaign. As of January 6, the group had raised $7,892 in funds for the project. Watch the video below to learn more about this initiative. https://youtu.be/C0y3kjxeT6o Click here for more information. Visit the ...
Plans for more active transportation in the small city of Lebanon, Indiana are underway. According to a news story from reporter.net nearly 20 residents gathered in December 2014 to discuss plans for a proposed bike & pedestrian master plan. The plan came after local residents met in February for an active transportation workshop. Shortly after the workshop a steering committee was formed and engineers were hired to help residents formulate the plan. A draft of the latest plan was presented at a city meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 17th, 2014. Read the full story ...
How can we succeed in getting more kids outside playing and being physically active? Why not a bike park? Bike parks are recreation facilities dedicated to the purpose of biking. They include various types of trails and pump tracks---segments of a trail or track that is designed for bicycling without pedaling. If you've never heard of a bike park, you'll want to know about the The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA)'s Bike Park Initiative and about the work they are doing to aid cities in making biking accessible and attractive for all. The Bike Park Initiative which was developed in partnership with the SRAM Cycling Fund and People for Bikes, identifies promising local government agencies and provides them with technical assistance to create state of ...
