Activity Programs that are Evidence-based and Sustainable Tackling Childhood Obesity with Community-Wide, FUN Nutrition and Physical Activity Programs that are Evidence-based and Sustainable

We could not have accomplished all we have without our partners, ranging from Walmart, the U.S. government (Snap-ed) to BlueCross BlueShield. In particular, our long-term partnership with WKKF has yielded nearly $10 million in nutrition/physical activity programming. We are the leading nutrition education provider supported by those who want to implement a program that has empirical data that shows a statistically significant impact on kids.

The statistically significant results of The OrganWise Guys from a study of 4,500 children: Results published in: Journal of the American Dietetic Association Journal of American Public Health Journal of Healthcare for the Poor and Underserved Our partners turn to us because we are the only study published in scientific journals showing these types of results on a large-scale school program. OWG is not just a fun program (although it is!) – we have a scientifically-backed proven model to help kids improve their healthy status and become better students by making smart choices that are good for their OrganWise Guys.

Thriving Communities, Thriving Children Initial research for this age group was funded by a $1 million dollar grant from the USDA to the University of Miami School of Medicine. A follow-up research project in Mississippi, funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, revealed one-of-a-kind outcomes showing statistically significant improvements in BMI percentiles in 2-5 year olds (predominately African-American children). These results were present at the American Heart Association Annual conference. This kit comes with everything an Early Childhood Center needs for YEAR-ROUND healthy living education!

Heart to Start - Blue Kit/Red Kit (PK/K) To encourage the flow of materials from year to year, following is a quick overview of the core materials for each grade level. There are 2 kits for the PreK/Kindergarten age that can be used interchangeably by kindergarten teachers throughout the school year. This was designed for teachers to focus on one book per month and choose a weekly “OrganWise Day” (Friday afternoons seem to be a great day for teachers to end a week well done with some fun OWG activities). Then, throughout the month, have the kits’ activity in the classroom “center” and/or play extension activities contained in the lesson plan book. Each of the 2 kits contain four books, an activity and a lesson plan and come in their own zipper pouch. Many teachers use the beanies as positive reinforcement for healthy behaviors they observe. For example, have Sir Rebrum sit on the desk of a student who ate a healthy breakfast or helped another student learn a new skill, etc.

To address the need for daily physical activity, The OrganWise Guys developed WISERCISE! The WISERCISE! program helps students get up and be active for approximately 10 minutes during the academic day (math, language arts and nutrition/healthy lifestyle). For example, during the Karate Kid Math physical activity lesson, students will learn simple karate that will be performed as they count to the correct answer for each math activity. (PRESENTER: “What is 3+4 children?” “7, Correct! Let’s do 7 karate kicks now!” Then simulate doing one of these karate kicks 7 times.) Teachers see that not only will this make math class more fun and exciting for students, but it will also help reinforce the answer by adding the physical activity component. Daily classroom/desk-side physical activity while staying on task academically!

To complement The OrganWise Guys healthy living education taking place in the front of the school (in classrooms), the Foods of the Month (FoM) Club teaches children, their parents, teachers, and school staff about the importance of consuming nutrient-dense, “OrganWise Guys-approved” foods in the school cafeteria and outside of school. (This component of the program is utilized primarily by Food Service personnel in the cafeteria, but know that all staff/teachers in the school have permission to utilize any/all pieces of this important component.) FoM highlights 2 different nutrient-dense foods each month, including the summer months, for a full year program. Think of FoM as a fantastic marketing tool for food service to promote the delicious, nutritious, nutrient-dense foods they are serving! The great news is, now more than ever, these healthy foods are readily available from the USDA Foods offerings.

Poster presented at: American Heart Association Annual Conference on Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention – Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism (EPI/NPAM) 2015; March 3-6, 2015. Baltimore, MD. Poster presented at: American Heart Association Annual Conference on Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention – Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism (EPI/NPAM) 2015; March 3-6, 2015. Baltimore, MD.

Keeping the family involved in healthy living year-round! Healthy Kid Box Keeping the family involved in healthy living year-round!