1. Getting Kids Interested In Eating Healthy Founding Executive Director Action for Healthy Kids Alicia Moag-Stahlberg, MS, RD

2. Increases Current Intake Decreases * Consumption data from NHANES 2001-2002 What Kids Are Not Eating

3. Kids’ environment Bombarded by ads for food Bombarded by ads for food Communicate more w friends than adults Communicate more w friends than adults Have money to spend and spend it on food/drinks Have money to spend and spend it on food/drinks Easy access to fast foods, pop, candy, chips (hard to get healthful options) Making meal decisions for self and family Making meal decisions for self and family Less (or none) experience cooking Less (or none) experience cooking Low nutrition savvy Low nutrition savvy

4. Information Sources Mass media The Street FamilySchool Health care

5. 5 Students’ Realities HungryMalnourishedTiredStressedBullied Sedentary, unfit Overweight, obese Abused Depressed or other mental health issues Learning/emotional disabilities Chronic illnesses – asthma, diabetes, heart disease Using alcohol or other drugs Issues at home

6. What is most important? Avoiding sexually transmitted disease Getting good grades Avoiding drugs, alcohol Spending time w friends Spending time w family Getting enough exercise Getting enough sleep, managing stress Eating healthy

7. Body Size and Satisfaction More girls describe themselves as overweight than boys More (50%) older kids (ages 13-18) than (40%) younger kids (10-12) describe themselves as overweight More girls (54%) than boys (36%) thought they should lose a “little” or lose a “lot” of weight More kids are trying weight loss products/diets

8. Eating Healthy Do students’ care? Youth understand the importance of healthful eating Understood the value of eating healthy foods and how that can positively impact a person’s health. Understood the value of eating healthy foods and how that can positively impact a person’s health. Healthy foods help people to live healthy lives and avoid ailments such as obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure. Healthy foods help people to live healthy lives and avoid ailments such as obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure.

9. Eating Healthy Youth said that they eat healthier outside school than inside school. Youth feel that messages emphasizing the consequences of not eating healthy foods would be more effective in changing behavior than promoting the positive effects of healthy food choices. Youth want advice from doctors and fitness professionals about improving their health and wellness.

10. Barriers to Eating Healthy Foods at school do not taste/look good I like fast food/junk food I’m young, does not matter Parents, elders not eating healthy Not important…why should I?

11. What motivates kids ? Access to tasty, appealing healthful foods Encouragement !!!! Discussing, talking, arguing about healthy eating Having a reason, why bother – improved fitness and feeling better, positive affect on learning/achievement, physical appearance (approach topic carefully) Knowing what to do

12. Incorporating Nutrition Time and format Number of students Multiple lessons or one Out of class assignments Credible and relevant

13. Relevant Topics What is healthy and what is not? Selecting healthy choices at gas station/convenience store. Why we eat - replacement activities. Eating on the fly - what matters most? How much money spent on food? Making a simple meal Eating for healthy weight Eating for healthy weight

14. Ideas Basics still necessary What foods kids need to eat more of What foods kids need to eat more of How to balance food and activity How to balance food and activity What are you really paying for? Ads, packaging, claims, location, gimmicks Ads, packaging, claims, location, gimmicks How much do you spend on food each week? How much do you spend on food each week? Amount saved if you made the food Amount saved if you made the food

15. Portion Control MEDIUM LARGE SUPER-SIZE

16. Sugar and Fat How much sugar do you eat each day? How much sugar do you eat each day? Collect wrappers of what you eat for one day Collect wrappers of what you eat for one day Calculate 4 grams = 1 tsp sugar = 16 calories Calculate 4 grams = 1 tsp sugar = 16 calories Little to none nutrients in high sugar, high cal Little to none nutrients in high sugar, high cal Fat weighs more and does not fill you up more Calculate 5 grams = 1 tsp = 45 calories Calculate 5 grams = 1 tsp = 45 calories Food density important for hunger – not just calories – soups, vegetables, high fiber Food density important for hunger – not just calories – soups, vegetables, high fiber

17. Game On! The Ultimate Wellness Challenge