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Kids and Nutrition-Finding Those Teachable Moments. Judy Mitnick , M.S., R.D. Nutrition Has Serious Current and Long Term Effects on our Children’s Lives. The prevalence of childhood obesity has tripled in just three decades (Inst. Of Medicine and the National Research Council)
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Kids and Nutrition-Finding Those Teachable Moments Judy Mitnick, M.S., R.D.
Nutrition Has Serious Current and Long Term Effects on our Children’s Lives • The prevalence of childhood obesity has tripled in just three decades (Inst. Of Medicine and the National Research Council) • Chronic diseases once only associated with adulthood are seen more frequently in children and youth (Type II Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Cholesterol) • Poor school performance can be linked to poor nutritional choices
Competition for a Student’s Classroom Time • Teachers more pressured than ever to meet curriculum standards • Less time for “formal” nutrition lessons • Less time for physical activity and P.E. instruction
“Sneaking” Nutrition Lessons into the Curriculum • Way to incorporate nutrition concepts throughout the school day • Nutrition lessons can help reinforce lessons learned in many other classes • Teachers modeling good nutrition
Subject by Subject Examples…. • Math -Concept of Healthy Weight “by the numbers.” Calories in, Calories out: Is there a net gain or net deficit?? -”Nutrition Facts” label reading is a math textbook all its own! Calories per gram for protein, carbohydrate and fat-multiplication Concept of determining percentages (% Daily Value)
Subject by Subject Examples • Science Biology/Physiology-digestion and absorption rates of foods and effects on brain function and sports performance Cooking-The ultimate laboratory experiment-practice measuring and weighing while increasing interest in new foods
Subject by Subject Examples • Social Studies Learning the origins of foods-agriculture-makes children feel more connected to food and want to choose more natural options Environmental Issues help children focus on how our “consumption” effects the world around us
“MyPyramid” • Created in 2005 to replace the old food pyramid-USDA • More specific and includes a physical activity component • Quick and Basic overview of “healthy eating” and gives children guidelines for practicing making healthy choices both at school and at home • MyPyramid.Gov-Wonderful resource-free handouts, games, etc.
“MyPyramid” Worksheet • Great tool for increasing “eating awareness” and helps decrease mindless snacking • Guides students in their food choices • Can be customized based on grade level and lesson teacher wishes to concentrate on • Reinforces multiple school concepts in addition to Nutrition: tracking, calculating, creativity, writing, goal setting and more!
Lots of Free Resources Online… • www.eatright.org (The American Dietetic Association) • www.mypyramid.gov (Through the USDA)