Basics of Teaching Nutrition Education & Physical Activity in the Classroom

1. Basics of Teaching Nutrition Education & Physical Activity in the Classroom

2. Why worry about nutrition and physical activity? • Diet is linked with 5 of the 10 leading causes of death: • Coronary heart disease • Some types of cancer • Stroke • Type 2 diabetes • Atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in the arteries)

3. A Dangerous Trend • Data from the 2011 National Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System showed that, of students in grades 9-12: • 36% did not eat fruit/100% fruit juice one or more times per day • 37.7% did not eat vegetables one or more times per day • 12.2% did not eat for 24 hours or more to lose weight or to keep from gaining weight • Obese children and adolescents are more likely to become obese as adults.

4. Concern About Physical Inactivity • Data from the 2011 National Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System showed that, of students in grades 9-12: • 32.4% watched television 3 or more hours per day • 13.8% did not participate in at least 60 minutes of physical activity on any days of the week • Only 49.5% were physically active for a total of at least 60 minutes/day on at least 5 days of the week

5. Childhood Obesity • Data from NHANES surveys (1976–1980 and 2009–2010) show that the prevalence of obesity has increased: • for children aged 2–5 years, prevalence increased from 5.0% to 12.1% • for those aged 6–11 years, prevalence increased from 6.5% to 18.0% • for those aged 12–19 years, prevalence increased from 5.0% to 18.4%

6. Long-Term Health Consequences • Obese children and adolescents are more likely to: • Become obese as adults • Have health problems related to cardiovascular disease such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and Type 2 diabetes • Have bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems such as stigmatization and poor self-esteem

7. Finding the Time • If you don’t have extra time to devote to nutrition, how do you squeeze it into an already busy school day? • Integrate with other subjects • Take advantage of mealtime and small breaks in the day

8. Overcoming Additional Barriers • Other possible barriers: • Special Needs • Confidence • Space • Ideas

9. Good Nutrition • Provides students with a solid foundation for lifelong health. • Increases the odds of healthy & attentive students. • Assures optimal development and growth • Has positive effects on: • Alertness • Attention • Performance on standardized achievement tests

10. Teaching Nutrition Basics • Nutrition education doesn’t need to occur in formal lessons • Be a healthy role model! • Healthy foods at class parties • Eliminate soft drinks • Use non-food items as rewards

11. www.ChooseMyPlate.gov Teaching Nutrition Basics

12. What are the components of MyPlate? • Five food groups • Uses a familiar mealtime visual, a place setting • Reminder to eat healthfully • Includes the website address for ChooseMyPlate.gov

13. MyPlate Messages • Make half your plate fruits and vegetables • Make half your grains whole • Vary your veggies • Focus on fruits • Get your calcium-rich foods • Go lean with protein

14. Using MyPyramid • MyPyramid also teaches nutrition by food groups. • Focus on eating a variety of foods • Moderation • Eat more foods that are low in added sugar and fat • Cut back on packaged snacks & drinks that are high in sugar and/or fat • Balance food intake with physical activity.

15. Teaching Nutrition to Preschoolers

16. Teaching Nutrition Basics • Encourage youngsters to: • Try new foods • Eat a variety of foods • Get plenty of playtime activity • Resources on www.ChooseMyPlate.gov

17. MyPyramid Coloring Activity

18. Healthy Foods Rainbow

19. ChooseMyPlate.gov Preschool Resources • Use resources from choosemyplate.gov • Daily food plan • Developing healthy eating habits • Tips for picky eaters • Meal and snack information • Healthy Eating for Preschoolers Mini-Poster

20. Teaching Nutrition in the Elementary Classroom

21. MyPlate Activity • MyPyramid for Kids resources available for elementary students of all ages

22. Teaching Nutrition in Middle and High School Classrooms

23. My Daily Food Plan Activity • How does your intake compare to the recommendations? • Create a customized Daily Food Plan at www.ChooseMyPlate.gov • An easy way to get older students to think more critically about what they are eating.

24. Physical Activity • Children and adolescents should get 60 minutes or more of physical activity EACH day. • It is one of the most important things that children & adults can do for their health. It can help: • Control weight • Reduce risk of disease (cardiovascular, diabetes, cancer, etc.) • Strengthen bones and muscles • Improve mental health & mood • Keep thinking, learning, and judgment skills sharp

25. Let’s give it a try! • Toss and Catch • Share: • Your favorite fruit or vegetable • Your favorite physical activity • Your favorite food served in the school cafeteria

26. Preschools • Learning to be physically active from an early age sets the groundwork for a lifetime of healthy habits • Physical activity • Helps to develop motor skills and coordination • Can help children learn to feel good about themselves • Helps with mental development • Free play also helps children use their imagination and be creative

27. Physical Activity Show-and-Tell • Young children love to show off new skills • Encourage children to share achievements by holding a weekly physical activity show-and-tell. • Make sure the environment is supportive, cheerful, and nonjudgmental

28. Older Students • Beginning to experience freedom to make choices • Regular physical activity may: • Improve self-esteem • Help to manage weight • Increase fitness levels • Help build and maintain bones, muscles, and joints • School staff can impact physical activity choices by being a healthy role model and providing opportunities to be active during the school day

29. A Few Examples… • For younger children: • Basic movements and motor skills: • Tossing and catching • Jumping, hopping and skipping • Side-stepping • Balancing (on toes, on one foot, on one foot and two hands, etc.) • Pattern movements (hopscotch, dance steps, “Simon Says” etc.)

30. A Few Examples… • For older children and adolescents: • Emphasize team-building • Work in teams to complete tasks • Require multiple people to be successful • Encourage participation from ALL students • Provide opportunities for creativity • Support student creativity • Listen to students’ suggestions

31. Time for a “break” • Stand next to a number • When the music starts, move around the room to touch the next number in sequence • Keep going until you get back to your original number • Classroom applications?

32. A few last-minute tips! • Allow energetic kids a chance to move and play • Limit directions, rules and explanations • Share activities with parents