Resources for the School CommunityMartha Y. Kubik The Association between Teachers’ Food Practices and Students’ Dietary Behaviors Nursing, UM-TC (2003) This advanced paper evaluating the association between teacher’s food practices and student’s dietary behaviors describes a study illustrating how social modeling is related to eating behaviors and the affects upon children and adolescents.
The National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion This website provides multiple school community resources for collaborative efforts. The resources show how schools can provide a critical facility in which the school community comes together to maintain the well-being of children. The resources support the concept that the total community must solve the nation’s most serious health and social problems - maintaining that schools by themselves cannot—and should not be expected to— shoulder the entire burden.
This website offers some essential guidelines for keeping kids healthy through social modeling both at home and at school. The majority of the suggestions are targeted towards the family, but schools and teachers can be equal influencers in the lifestyle choices of a child. The site also has a link to the “Dietary Guidelines for Children”, which should be reviewed by any person with a role in K-12 education or foodservice.
Moving Kids towards a Healthy Future A collaborative fitness foundation, this website supports non-profit organizations that are solving the epidemic of childhood obesity. The site includes program examples for fundraising. To see how far some people will go to fight childhood obesity and set a good example, visit this site to learn about 20 runners covering over 1600 miles while visiting classrooms on the East coast of the United States. "[It is] an opportunity to showcase healthy role models for our children, and is a nationwide invitation to support our position that a future of obesity, diabetes, cancer and heart disease for America's children is unacceptable," said Billy Sheehan, the Managing Director for DMSE Children’s Fitness Foundation and also a TREK II Relay runner.
Kids running and fitness programs are becoming more common as the need to get children and adolescents more active takes on more importance. For some inspiration, here is a sampling of popular running events and programs for kids and teens.
Taking part in the Active Lifestyle program Start a trend in your school by making yourself a good example now. Take on The President’s Challenge. This site shows you how to make a commitment to staying active and how to stick to it. The program helps you set realistic goals to encourage fitness for a lifetime as you become a healthy role model.
99 Tips for Family Fitness Fun This website provides some great ideas for becoming more active at home, at school, at work, and in your communities. The more exposure to health and fitness activities a child receives, the more likely he or she will repeat these behaviors.
This
website is a great resource to learn more about healthy weight, fruits and
vegetables, bone health, and iron deficiency. The CDC has compiled a
variety of resources to help you start healthier eating habits which can
translate to healthier student eating. There is also a section of quick
tips and resources for health professionals, as well as, several other
nutrition-related topics that are sure to provide bias free information.
Team Nutrition, Resource Library State Developed Materials This website contains materials developed through Team Nutrition Grant funding. Millions of dollars have been expended to provide teachers, administrators, health professionals, parents, and children – the entire school community – with peer reviewed education materials and lesson plans to promote all aspects of health and wellness.
Minnesota Department of Children, Families and Learning Minnesota’s Changing the Scene – Make the First Move Minnesota Tool Kit
In particular,
the following materials advocate the participation of school community members
in role modeling. Tools are provided to allow individuals to rank themselves as
role models. Although designed specifically for parents, this activity relates
to any adult who aspires to inspire children. Discover some easy ways to become a good “lifestyle role model” for children. Parents and the entire school community can provide increased lifestyle activities while supporting nutrition education in positive, healthy communities as they become better “lifestyle role models” for children.
Neumors Foundation Kids Health from the health experts of Nemours This site covers a broad range of health topics that would be appropriate for children and pre-adolescents, but could be enjoyed by individuals of all ages. Among the many interesting topics here are “Staying Healthy,” “Recipes,” “Growing Up”, and “A Glossary of Medical Terms.”
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases WIN™ Weight-control Information Network This website provides information for the school community by addressing healthy behaviors, nutritious eating, and regular, lifestyle physical activity for pre-adolescents and teenagers. The information provided explains how healthy habits help meet the challenges of life. The information stresses that healthy eating and regular exercise may help students feel energized, learn better, and stay alert in class. Healthy habits may also lower the risk for diseases such as diabetes, asthma, heart disease, and some forms of cancer. The website also provides some great ideas for kids to move more and eat better at home, at school, and in the community.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration FDA Consumer (May 1997) Ruth Papazian “On the Teen Scene: Should You Go on a Diet”
This article written specifically for teens
discusses the influence of peer pressure in adolescence and reveals some of the
health effects that diets can initiate, some of which can be
permanent--especially for teenagers
American Heart Association and the National Football League WhatmovesU! – Get Up and Get Moving! Check out this website for children and adolescents. The website taps into a child’s desire to be active and fosters that desire into activity for better health.
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