Kids in South Florida can now enjoy fun and fitness while learning to cook healthy meals, thanks to the non-profit Florida Introduces Physical Activity and Nutrition to Youth program (FLIPANY). The organization was founded in 2005 but continues to make strides in expanding physical activity and nutrition opportunities for children. FLIPANY uses the evidence based CATCH PE curriculum as part of the group fitness classes it offers to kids and teens, as well as dance classes, yoga, personal training and a mommy and me fitness program for children ages 3-5 year. The non-profit also hosts a mountain biking camp and an 8-week earn-a-bike program for kids.
In addition to its physical activity offerings, kids can learn about cooking and nutrition in after school programs. FLIPANY offers a ...
The national childhood obesity rate has leveled off, but rates are still far too high – and racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities persist with more than 39% of Latino kids overweight or obese. What needs to happen to show bigger results, faster? Join leaders from Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, American Heart Association, City of Philadelphia Government, UCSF School of Medicine, & AcademyHealth for a TEDMED Great Challenges Hangout about childhood obesity, and how we can all make sure ALL children can grow up at a healthy weight. How do we make sure all children can grow up at a healthy weight? What are some of the underlying environmental and societal causes that must be addressed? What could corporate, community and policy leaders do to further address this critical ...
A new study from Michigan State University found a link between the identification of fast-food logos and higher weights in children. Children who could better identify the logos and images of fast-food, soda, and unhealthy snack brands were more likely to be overweight. They classified the status of weight for the children, ages 3-5, by their Body Mass Indexes (BMIs). The kids were shown images that included McDonald's golden arches, the Trix rabbit, and the Burger King crown, as well as being asked to match food items and cartoons to brand names. Anna McAlister, an assistant professor and study researcher at MSU, said that the results show how it is not just a sedentary lifestyle that is causing obesity in America. "Of course we want kids to be active, but the ...
While obesity rates may be leveling off for some, rates among Latino youth remain significantly high, according to a new fact sheet. The fact sheet, from Leadership for Healthy Communities, indicates that Latino children and adolescents are more likely to be overweight and obese than their White peers, due to limited availability of healthy foods and safe recreational facilities that contribute to unhealthy environments for Latino families. Factors such as acculturation and unhealthy food and beverage marketing play a role in higher rates of overweight and obesity among Latino youths. “Comprehensive solutions, which include increasing access to affordable healthy foods in communities and schools, limiting the marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages, addressing neighborhood ...
The Center for Science in the Public Interest has created a comprehensive list of healthy school party ideas. Classroom parties can often involve candy, cake, snacks, and sweets; which are high in fat and sugar. These foods in excess lead to issues like obesity and obesity related diseases in children. But teachers and students can celebrate birthdays, accomplishments, and holidays in healthy ways! Non-food ideas involve having dance parties, extra recess, reading time, creative crafts, and party games. You can find the guide here and learn how to provide healthy celebrations for all ...
El Monte City School District lies about 20 miles east of the heart of Los Angeles, California. Many of its children are first-generation Mexican Americans, and 91 percent of the children participate in the free- and reduced- price lunch program. This Alliance for a Healthier Generation school has been making some big changes to the snacks it offers students in the after-school program. Many of El Monte’s students also stay at their schools until after 5 pm, participating in after school activities and athletic programs. The district offered a small after school snack of milk and fruit, but with children playing rigorous sports and expending a lot of energy, the snack wasn’t enough. Instead of getting rid of the program due to low participation, El Monte strengthened it. ...
Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s Healthy Schools Program participants in Hall County, Ga. are working toward providing healthy snacks in all schools. “The way the Alliance does it is right on,” explained Weirs. “We didn’t have any health efforts in place at the time, and we needed to know what a healthy school should look like. The Alliance gave us the road map, the tools and the recognition. They helped us identify where we were currently, where we were we going and what incentives we needed to get there. The Alliance made it so easy.” The biggest task Weirs, as the district's Wellness Coordinator, took on was getting sugar-sweetened sports drinks out of elementary schools. Many schools are hesitant to make this change because of their fears that sales will ...
Spanish-speaking women now have a website exclusively dedicated to bringing them information about having a healthy pregnancy and baby, reports Latin Post. Nacersano.org is brought to women as a collaboration between March of Dimes and Latin Grammy Award singer Thalia. The singer has been an ambassador for March of Dimes, raising awareness for mother and mothers-to-be for many years. "I feel so privileged as a mom to be part of a significant organization like the March of Dimes that works hard to prevent prematurity and helps moms to have healthy babies," said Thalia, mother of two children. "I'm very happy that the March of Dimes has even more resources available to continue to educate moms and families worldwide. As a mom, I can't think of anything more important than the ...
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation has launched it's Smart Snacks Product Calculator. This tool makes it easy for individuals or schools to evaluate products based on the new USDA Smart Snacks in School Guidelines. The user can simply enter the product information, answer a few questions, and the calculator will determine whether your snack, side or entrée item meets the new USDA Smart Snacks in School Guidelines. Results from this calculator have been approved and determined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to be an accurate product assessment for it's compliance with the federal requirements for Smart Snacks in School. In addition to the calculator, the Alliance Product Navigator now features snack, side, entrée and beverage products that meet the USDA ...
