Nurse Brings “Fun With Fruit” To Schools For Obesity Prevention

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Derek Dimas, a registered nurse had a fun idea to get kids to eat healthier.

Believing that kids needed a fun and positive environment to learn about fruits and vegetables, he invented a program called “Fun with Fruits.”

While in their physical education classes, students within the Corpus Christi School district learn how to create easy-to-make fruit and veggie kabobs. Dimas also invites parents to attend the classes, hoping to inspire healthy eating for the whole family.

In a recent article, Dimas explained the need for this type of program, “I felt moved because these kids may not outlive their parents because of obesity. I’ve heard of three-year-olds with diabetes and young people with heart disease,” he said.

Dimas spends his own money to provide the fruits, vegetables, and paper plates to the school and does not get paid for his program. He explains that providing food for up to 114 students only costs him around twenty dollars, which shows kids and families that eating healthy is not as costly as one may believe.

He also asks fellow alumni nurse students from A & M University in Corpus Christi to help by volunteering when he presents to large groups of students, like when he presented to over 100 students at Zavala Elementary.

Latino students need healthy food access in schools, where many policies against unhealthy vending and snacks are not enforced. Helping Latino kids have fun and learn about healthier food environments may help them make them see the healthy choice as the easy choice.

To learn more about Latino kids and healthier schools, click here.

To contact Dimas and learn more, email funwithfruit@yahoo.com.

By The Numbers By The Numbers

84

percent

of Latino parents support public funding for afterschool programs

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