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Promoting Healthy YouthA Parent Toolkit for Enhancing Nutrition and Physical Activity in Schools and at Home
1www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Introduction 0304 Letter from the OAFHK Chair and Ohio PTA
05 Ohio Action for Healthy Kids Fact Sheet
07 Ohio Action for Healthy Kids Zone Teams
10 How to Use this Toolkit
Advocacy 1516 Becoming an Advocate
19 Resources to Help Parent Advocating
School Environment: What You Need to Know 2021 Tips for Working with Schools
23 School Environment Flow Chart
25 School Nutrition Environment
27 Competitive Foods
31 Physical Education Programs
32 School Policies
School Health Environment Assessment 3637 Conduct a Needs Assessment
38 Assessment Resources
40 Key Assessment Questions
Evaluation 4243 Evaluation
47 Share Your Success Story
49 Mini-Grant Success Stories from Zone Teams
P.A.R.E.N.T. Process: Taking Action for Change 5859 Introduction to the P.A.R.E.N.T. Process
61 School Wellness Policies
65 School Breakfast Program
70 Creating a Healthy School Nutrition Environment
Section 1
Section 2
Section 3
Section 4
Section 5
Table of Contents
Section 6
2 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
71 Healthy Snacks in Schools
74 Healthy Fundraising Techniques
77 Non-Food Rewards and School Celebrations
80 Healthy School Celebrations and Healthy Rewards and Incentives
86 Physical Activity and Physical Education
90 Physical Activity Curricula and Programs
93 Walking Programs
97 Walking School Bus
100 P.A.R.E.N.T. Process Resources
Healthy Living at Home 122123 Introduction to Healthy Living at Home
126 Breakfast
128 Healthy Snacking
130 Eating More Fruits and Vegetables
132 Family Meals
134 Helping Your Child Become More Active
136 Portion Control
138 Food Groups to Encourage
Section 7
Table of Contents
3www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Introduction04 Letter from the OAFHK Chair and Ohio PTA
05 Ohio Action for Healthy Kids Fact Sheet
07 Ohio Action for Healthy Kids Zone Teams
10 How to Use this Toolkit
Section 1
4 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Letter from the Ohio Action for Healthy Kids Chair and Ohio PTA
Welcome to the Ohio Parent Toolkit for Nutrition and Physical
Activity brought to you by Ohio Action for Healthy Kids
and Ohio Parent Teacher Association! We are pleased to present
this toolkit to help parents impact the nutrition and physical
activity environment in schools. The toolkit contains background
information, success stories, supplemental resources and a
P.A.R.E.N.T. Process for changing the wellness environment within
schools. This version of the toolkit contains helpful information
for parents to make positive changes within the home environment
as well.
We encourage parents to become actively involved in nutrition and
physical activity projects in their schools. Given the rising rates of
obesity, and the health and economic costs tied to this epidemic, it
will take the efforts of everyone to address this issue. Schools and
afterschool programs play a significant role in positively changing
the health behaviors of children. Many parent-led wellness projects
have produced significant results and this toolkit outlines the
process for how to make these changes in your own school.
We thank all of those who have contributed to this toolkit. Ohio
parents, as well as many groups from other states truly made this
a collaborative effort.
We will continue to gather examples of positive parental involvement
in schools and identify resources to assist your efforts. Please visit
the Ohio Action for Healthy Kids website for updated information,
www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org. Also tell us about your
successes so we can add your story to our website! We hope to hear
from you soon!
1Letter from the OAFHK Chair and Ohio PTA
www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Shelly Roth Beiting
Ohio Action for Healthy Kids
State Chair
Sue Owen
Ohio PTA
Executive Director
5www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Ohio Action for Healthy Kids Fact Sheet
What is Ohio Action for Healthy Kids?
A partnership of more than 25 state education, fitness, nutrition
and health organizations addressing the school’s role in
responding to childhood health. The Ohio Action for Healthy
Kids Team is dedicated to improving the health and educational
performance of Ohio’s children through better nutrition and
physical activity by promoting a healthy school environment.
Healthy schools produce healthy students -- and healthy students
are better able to learn and achieve their true potential.
What are Ohio’s Goals?Ohio’s goals create health promoting schools that support sound
nutrition and physical activity programs.
Goal #1: Expand the number of schools and students participating
in the School Breakfast Program.
Goal #2: Ensure healthy foods and beverages are provided
in vending machines, school stores and all venues within the
school’s control.
Goal #3: Promote student health through regular physical
activity opportunities including a high quality physical education
program.
Goal #4: Support schools and provide assistance with the creation
of effective school wellness policies.
Our ResultsSchool Environment Outcomes – School Year 2007-2008
44,019 additional students participating in the USDA School •Breakfast Program;
Over 105 mini-grants awarded to Ohio Schools impacting •over 30,373 students and 634 school staff with new school
nutrition and physical activity programs;
30 regional workshops held reaching over 2,044 school •administrators, staff and community individuals.
Communications Go-to resource for school wellness opportunities: •www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org;
Monthly newsletters, quarterly conference calls and annual •membership meetings.
1Ohio Action for Healthy Kids Overview
6 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Product Development A Zone Leadership Manual, Parent Toolkit, Student Mentoring
Guide and Nutrition and Physical Activity Toolkits to provide to
schools.
How to Get Involved? Ohio Action for Healthy Kids’ infrastructure provides various
opportunities to foster sharing and collaboration among
diverse groups to encourage and facilitate meaningful change
in schools. The Steering Committee includes members of state-
level organizations. There are 10 regional zone teams for school
staff, community members, parents, child health advocates and
individuals interested in school health. These Regional Zones
work at the local level to provide best practice resources to
schools.
For more information about activities in your regional zone
and the Ohio Action for Healthy Kids Initiative:
www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Ohio Action for Healthy Kids Overview
7www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Morrow 10
Stark 7
Carroll 7
Jefferson 7
Harrison 7
Tuscarawas 7 Coshocton
7
Muskingum 7
Noble 7
Belmont 7
Guernsey 7
Williams 1
Fulton 1
Lucas 1
Defiance 1
Henry 1
Wood 1
Paulding 1
Ottawa 1
Sandusky 1
Seneca 1 Putnam
2 Hancock 2
Van Wert 2 Allen
2
Mercer 2
Auglaize 2
Hardin 2
Logan 2
Darke 9
Shelby 9
Miami 9
Champaign 9
Clark 9
Preble 9
Montgomery 9
Greene 9
Butler 6
Hamilton 6
Warren 6
Clinton 6
Clermont 6
Highland 6
Brown 6 Adams
6
Fayette 6
Scioto 5
Pike 5
Pickaway 5
Ross 5
Fairfield 5 Perry
5
Hocking 5
Vinton 5
Jackson 5
Gallia 5
Meigs 5
Athens 5
Washington 5
Morgan 5
Monroe 5
Lawrence 5
Delaware 8
Union 8
Madison 8
Franklin 8
Licking 8
Knox 10
Wyandot 10
Crawford 10
Marion 10
Erie 10
Huron 10
Wayne 10
Ashland 10
Richland
10
Holmes 10
Morrow 10
Lorain 3
Cuyahoga 3
Summit 3
Medina 3
Lake 4
Ashtabula 4
Geauga 4
Trumbull 4
Portage 4
Mahoning 4
Columbiana 4
Ohio Action for Healthy Kids Regional Zones
8/22/2008 based upon Buckeye Association of School Administrators
Ohio Action for Healthy Kids Zone Teams
Regional Zone Team Structure
Ohio Action for Healthy Kids is divided into 10 regional zone
teams to create change in schools at the grassroots level by
collaborating with local schools, organizations and child health
advocates. Regional zone teams work at county, school district
and school building levels to improve nutrition and increase
opportunities for physical activity in Ohio schools.
Each regional zone team is led by a member of the state steering
committee, who mentors team members. Each team needs the
input and leadership of educators, school administrators and other
representatives. Together, we believe we can make positive changes
for children in Ohio. To join a regional Zone team, contact the Zone
Leader whose information is on the next page.
Ohio Action for Healthy Kids Zone Teams
8 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Zone Contact InformationZone 1Jan Meyer
Regional Support and Development Consultant
Ohio Action for Healthy Kids
419-474-8528
jmeyer.OhioAFHK@gmail.com
Zone 2Janet Bassitt
Auglaize County Health Department
214 S. Wagner Street
Wapakoneta, OH 45895
419-738-3410
jbassitt@auglaizehealth.org
Zone 3Donna Cook
Community Services Coordinator, Regional Medical Practice
26900 Cedar Road
Beachwood, OH 44122
216-839-3069
COOKD1@ccf.org
Zone 4Betsy Barringer
Columbiana County, Education Service Center
38720 Saltwell Road
Lisbon, OH 44432
330-424-9591 ext. 140
ebarringer@ccesc.k12.oh.us
Zone 5Court Witschey
Cardiovascular Health Coordinator,
Washington County Health Department
342 Muskingum Drive
Marietta, OH 45750
740-374-2782
cvh@washco-ohhealth.org
1Ohio Action for Healthy Kids Zone Teams
9www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Zone 6Zone Mentor - Carol Gill
Ohio Department of Health
937-285-6250
carol.gill@odh.ohio.gov
Zone 7Deanna Putman
Children’s Hunger Alliance, Regional Director
3077 Kettering Boulevard, Suite 300
Dayton, OH 45439
937-534-0600 ext. 111
DPutman@ChildrensHungerAlliance.org
Zone 8Jan Ritter
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
700 Children’s Drive
Columbus, OH 43205
614-722-3465
jan.ritter@nationwidechildrens.org
Zone 9Sara Pappa
Greene County Combined Health District
360 Wilson Drive
Xenia, OH 45385
937-374- 5662
spappa@gcchd.org
Zone 10Jan Meyer
Regional Support and Development Consultant
Ohio Action for Healthy Kids
419-474-8528
jmeyer.OhioAFHK@gmail.com
Please visit www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org for a regularly
updated list and contact information.
Ohio Action for Healthy Kids Zone Teams
10 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
How to Use this Toolkit
Parents want the best for their children. Promoting better
nutrition and physical activity in school is one way to help
children receive a quality education and build healthy habits for
the future. Childhood obesity rates are on the rise, and because
this issue can lead to devastating health problems, reduce life
expectancy, and increase health care costs, it is up to parents to
take an active role in addressing the problem. This Ohio parent
toolkit highlights nutrition and physical activity project areas that
parents can become involved in and gives a step-by-step process on
how to implement wellness projects in schools.
The National Action for Healthy Kids Report, “Parent’s Views on
School Wellness Policies,” states that parents can have the greatest
impact on changing the practices of our schools because they are
the strongest advocates for America’s children. Parents must be
fully engaged in the effort to address childhood obesity and the
role that schools must play in providing solutions. Furthermore,
parents must be given a central role in helping to ensure that our
schools implement nutrition and physical activity programs and
Wellness Policies.
This toolkit includes a “P.A.R.E.N.T. Process” by which parents can
make changes in schools. The P.A.R.E.N.T. Process is a system for
assessing the school environment and implementing a wellness
project in a school. In order to give you examples of how to advocate
for change the P.A.R.E.N.T. Process has been applied to several topics
in the toolkit.
What’s Inside the ToolkitAdvocacy This section contains information on becoming an involved parent
and builds the foundation for making positive changes in schools.
Collaborating with other concerned individuals to create change
is an excellent method to achieve a goal and is traditionally called
grassroots advocacy when performed at a local level. Grassroots
advocacy has changed everything from school policy to law.
Connecting with other like-minded individuals to advance a cause
creates strength in numbers.
School Environment: What You Need to KnowIf your parent group wants to make changes within a school, you
need to understand how the school system works. This section
will help to familiarize your group with the school structure, the
1How to Use this Toolkit
“Connecting
with other like-
minded individuals
to advance a cause
creates strength
in numbers.”
11www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
general School Wellness Policy, and current policies dealing with
school nutrition and physical education. After reading this section,
you should have some direction as to whom you should contact first
and how to approach those who can help to implement your ideas
for change.
School Health Environment AssessmentThis section will help you to determine the current status of your local
school’s environment from a health perspective. There are resources
listed to provide you with questions to aid in assessing your school.
The questions cover your school’s current nutrition services, federal
meal programs, nutrition education and physical education/
physical activity.
EvaluationOnce your group has implemented Wellness Policies and activities,
you need to periodically review and evaluate your progress. This
will help to maintain or make any necessary adjustments to your
policies to accomplish your wellness goals. Also, you will hear
about others’ success stories within their communities and learn
how to share your story!
The P.A.R.E.N.T. ProcessThe P.A.R.E.N.T. Process is designed to help guide parents through
the basic steps needed to help advocate for better wellness practices
in their local school. Follow the steps of the P.A.R.E.N.T. Process
to take action on a topic in this toolkit or use the structure to help
guide a matter of your own choosing.
There are countless ways to improve the wellness of your school.
In this section are some available programs that may or may not
be currently in place at your school. Nutrition programs and
policy topics that are covered include School Breakfast Programs,
nutrition education ideas and resources, vending machine policies,
non-food rewards and celebration policies, and other programs and
ideas that you may want to introduce to your school.
The P.A.R.E.N.T. Process section will provide you with some
additional physical education programs and resources that are
available to most schools. You will also find ideas for incorporating
physical activity within the classroom and current physical activity
curricula and programs for youth.
1How to Use this Toolkit
12 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Healthy Living at HomeNot only is it critical for children to improve their wellness and
health education at school, but it is also important to practice healthy
living at home. This section provides simple and inexpensive ideas
to live out healthy habits with your family at home. 1How to Use this Toolkit
13www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Acronyms and Definitions
This page explains the meanings of some of the acronyms and
terms that are used throughout this toolkit.
AcronymsAFHK - Action For Healthy Kids
CATCH - Coordinated Approach To Child Health
CDC - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
FMNV - Foods of Minimal Nutritional Value
NASPE - National Association for Sport and Physical Education
OAFHK - Ohio Action For Healthy Kids
PA - Physical Activity
PANA - Pennsylvania Advocates for Nutrition and Activity
P.A.R.E.N.T. Process - Pick a Project, Assess the Situation,
Research, Educate, Network, Take Action
PE - Physical Education
PTA - Parent Teacher Association
SBP - School Breakfast Program
SHI - School Health Index
USDA - United States Department of Agriculture
WIC - Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and
Children
DefinitionsAdvocacy/Grassroots Advocacy - The act of arguing in favor
of something, such as a cause, idea, or policy; active support.
Collaborating with other concerned individuals to create change
is an excellent method to achieve a goal and is traditionally called
grassroots advocacy when performed at a local level.
Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 - Law that
required all local school districts participating in the National
School Lunch Program to have a School District Wellness Policy
in place by July 1, 2006.
Competitive Foods - All foods and beverages offered or sold at
school that are not part of the USDA school meal program.
Dietary Guidelines for Americans - Guidelines published jointly
by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and
the Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Guidelines provide
authoritative advice for people two years and older about how
good dietary habits can promote health and reduce risk for major
chronic diseases. They serve as the basis for Federal food and
nutrition education programs.
1How to Use this Toolkit
14 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Mini-Grant - Every year Ohio Action for Healthy Kids offers small
monetary awards to schools to support projects that advance
school wellness. The purpose of the mini-grants is to improve the
physical activity and nutrition behaviors of students and staff
through education, policy and/or environmental changes.
National School Breakfast Program - A federal reimbursement
program that provides nutritionally-balanced low-cost or free
breakfasts to children in public and non-public schools and child
care facilities.
National School Lunch Program - A federal reimbursement
program that offers nutritious, low-cost or free lunches to
children in public and non-public schools and child care facilities.
Nutrient Dense - Foods that provide substantial amounts of
vitamins and minerals with relatively few calories.
School Health Environment Assessment - The process by
which you determine the current status of your local school’s
environment from a health perspective.
School Wellness Policy - A set of goals set forth by school districts
for nutrition education, physical activity, campus food provision
and other school-based activities designed to promote student
wellness.
Walking School Bus - A group of children walking to school with
one or more adults.
Zone/Zone Team - Ohio Action for Healthy Kids is divided into 10
regional zone teams to create change in schools at the grassroots
level by collaborating with local schools, organizations and child
health advocates.
1How to Use this Toolkit
15www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Advocacy16 Becoming an Advocate
19 Resources to Help Parent Advocating
Section 2
16 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Becoming an Advocate
Grassroots Advocacy Organizing Parents in Your School Community to Make Positive Change
There is no better advocate for a child than their concerned
parent. They care very deeply about their children’s health
and well being. However, many parents who are concerned about
school nutrition and physical activity/education do not know where
to begin in order to create positive changes. Focused persuasion
with the goal of initiating change is what advocacy is all about.
Working with other parents and your local community can create an
effective grassroots campaign. Here are a few steps to help get the
parents in your group started as advocates for school wellness.
Getting StartedArrange for a MeetingIdentify other interested parents and begin a network through
your school PTA, other parent organization, school health council,
School Wellness Policy team, and/or school nutrition staff. Begin
by providing information about the negative impact of childhood
obesity and why school wellness is an important issue. Explain
how their families can benefit from being involved. Parents who
are more educated about an issue are more willing to take action.
Identify Your IssueMake sure you know the healthy steps your school is already
taking, as well as the health and wellness issues that concern you
and need to be improved. Begin by assessing your school’s health
environment to evaluate how your school measures up when it
comes to promoting student wellness. Tools for assessment can be
found in the section on “School Health Environment Assessment.”
After assessing your school’s environment, offer praise for
positive wellness activities in place and then decide which issue of
concern should be addressed. Once you pinpoint an area needing
improvement, set a clear, measurable goal to help guide your efforts
throughout your campaign.
Identify Your Target AudienceYour target audience will be the people you need to influence in
order to affect change. They will be the focus of your efforts. It may
be the administrators, the teaching staff, parents, students or the
cafeteria staff. Once your target audience is identified ask your
parent group some important questions:
2Becoming an Advocate
“Focused persuasion
with the goal of
initiating change
is what advocacy
is all about.”
17www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
What information does your target audience need in order to make
changes?
How can you influence your target audience to listen to your ideas?
The more you know about your target audience the more focused
you can be in developing action steps toward reaching your
overall goal.
Researching Your Issue Knowing the ImpactDetermine the number of students who are currently affected by
the problem you are addressing. Identify how they will benefit
from your action steps. This step is important, particularly when
you are trying to demonstrate to your target audience the value
of your project. It will also help in evaluating the success of your
project. When you can document success, you are more likely to be
able to work on other school wellness issues.
Gather StoriesGather real life success stories from other schools or districts
that have tackled a similar issue. This is a highly effective tool for
gaining support from your target audience. Just talking about
the importance of change is one thing, but showing that it can
be accomplished with a positive outcome will add weight to your
message of needed change. Look at the “Share Your Success Story”
section or visit www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org to see what
other schools have accomplished.
Developing a Compelling MessageConnect with Your Target AudiencePlanning is everything. Keep in mind your target audience and your
goal when developing the primary message you wish to present to
them. If possible, pre-test your message and key points with a few
members of the target audience to make sure it works. Note their
opinions and suggestions and make appropriate changes to your
presentation. Remember, it is important to think like the people
you wish to influence, not those who are already on your side.
Don’t Forget to “Ask”Make sure your message includes an “ask,” which is an action step
or task that you want your target audience to do. Perhaps it is to
call or talk with someone regarding your project. Then follow up
with them later to get feedback.
2Becoming an Advocate
“Keep in mind your
target audience
and your goal when
developing the
primary message
you wish to
present to them.”
18 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Use Multiple TacticsUse a variety of methods to get your message across. Write letters
to decision makers, post flyers, write a “letter to the editor” for the
local newspaper, hold a public meeting and activate a phone tree.
Look for communication avenues like PTA newsletters and school
TV channels to share your messages. These are just a few ideas to
get you started and are great ways to get your message out to your
target audience.
Moving On and Next StepsFind a SpokespersonThis is an effective way to get your message out. It does not have
to be someone famous, just someone with an interest and a passion
for your health message. Make sure that whomever you use is
credible, has good communication skills and has the ability to have
an impact on your target audience.
Identify Like-Minded AdvocatesTalk with people outside of your organization who share or
support your wellness efforts. Engage local community based
organizations and let them know what you are trying to do. These
partnerships can provide valuable feedback that will help you
influence your target audience. They can also provide a valuable
means of disseminating pertinent information. The more diverse
your voice, the more powerful your message. Just be careful to
remain focused on your original goal and try not to stray into other
areas. Your local PTA or parent group has a strong voice. Tap into
these members to continue to carry your message forward.
Build a BudgetYou can apply for grants, talk to school and community
organizations or use healthy fundraisers to build your funds. Once
you have funds available, be sure to develop a realistic budget.
Spend your funds wisely and remember to allocate some funds for
your long-term follow-through. Your budget consists of time and
money; consider both of these when establishing your goals.
Overcoming BarriersLack of SupportIf you are having trouble getting support from parents,
administrators, teachers, etc. do not get discouraged! Try offering
free events to raise awareness. Bring in professionals who can share
the facts and show the benefits of improving wellness practices.
Look for supporters in roles that align with your message (i.e.
nurses, dietitians, coaches, etc.).
2Becoming an Advocate
19www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Lack of ResourcesA lack of resources typically comes in one of two forms, either
time or money. Many efforts to make change fail simply because
not enough was invested in them in terms of time. Allowing the
time needed for new programs to demonstrate results is often
overlooked as an important factor. When it comes to funding, many
wellness projects can be implemented with little or no money. Or
try shifting existing funds from unhealthy choices to healthier
options. For example, encourage the school store to reallocate
their money from stocking the shelves with candy to purchasing
healthier snack options.
Multiple BarriersAddress one barrier at a time starting with the easiest. Coordinating
health efforts at schools is a process and takes time. When there
seems to be only a few people interested in wellness, it is easy to
become overwhelmed. It is important to get a grassroots swelling
of support, not just from parents, but teachers, secretaries, all
school staff and students as well. Ideally, each school building will
have a team of interested individuals who meet regularly to plan
and assess wellness efforts.
Evaluate and CelebrateEvaluate OftenTake time to evaluate the progress you have made, and if necessary,
make changes to your tactics or action steps. Stay focused on
the goal of improved health of your school children. Successful
grassroots campaigns are not a short term effort and may take
months or more to accomplish. Keep your goals in mind and assess
your progress often.
Celebrate Your Success!Do not hesitate to celebrate your accomplishments! It will motivate
your parent advocates, encourage future involvement and show
your target audience that you can be successful. When you approach
your target audience again with a new concern to address, they
will be willing to listen.
Resources to Help Parent AdvocatingNational Parent Teacher Association: The largest child advocacy
organization in the nation. “Healthy Lifestyles at Home and School”
www.pta.org
Action for Healthy Kids
“Parents Advocating for School Wellness Toolkit”
www.ActionforHealthyKids.org/community_Partnerships.php
2Becoming an Advocate
“Stay focused on
the goal of improved
health of your school
children. Positive
change takes time
and dedication.”
20 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
School Environment: What You Need to Know21 Tips for Working with Schools
23 School Environment Flow Chart
25 School Nutrition Environment
27 Competitive Foods
31 Physical Education Programs
32 School Policies
Section 3
21www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Tips for Working with Schools
Schools are faced with many regulations and challenges. As
you begin working with schools it is important to have an
awareness of the processes involved. It is also important to have
an understanding of how schools work, the role of various staff
members and how best to include them in your endeavor to enhance
the nutrition and physical activity environment of the school. At
some point, you may be working with the School Principal, School
Food Service Department, Physical Education Department and/or
the Before or After School Staff. Developing a good relationship is
a must to accomplish your goals. Consider these points to foster a
good working relationship with individuals in your school.
The School PrincipalOffer to volunteer at the school when and where needed.•Learn about the principal’s school philosophy, their vision for •the school and what they consider high priority issues.
If you have a concern, state it in a positive manner and offer •possible solutions.
Make an appointment with the principal to discuss your ideas. •Try to support your parent group project with one of the
principal’s priority areas. Offer research and success stories
from other school districts.
The School Food Service DepartmentStart with a visit to your child’s cafeteria to see what is offered.•Review the information in the “School Nutrition •Environment” section.
To learn the facts about the School Food Service Department, •it is best to talk with the School Food Service Director
directly. They can tell you the specifics on how foods are
prepared and served.
If you have a concern, state it in a positive manner. Make sure •they know you are interested in working WITH them to find
solutions that benefit everyone.
Ask how you might help promote fresh fruit, vegetables, milk •and whole grains in the cafeteria. Show your support by
listening, researching and then offering suggestions. Working
together will increase opportunities for you to positively
influence the nutrition environment of your child’s school.
The Physical Education DepartmentKeep in mind the PE Department has standards and goals to •meet, just like other academic areas in the school.
3Tips for W
orking with Schools“As you begin to
work with schools it
will be important to
have an awareness
of the processes
involved.”
22 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
The best way to work with your PE department is to volunteer •with special events. This is the easiest way to get to know the
PE instructor, learn about what is going on and show you are
interested in the physical fitness of the students.
Discuss the possibility of incorporating one of the P.A.R.E.N.T •activities, such as a walking/jogging segment into the
curriculum.
Express the interest of the parent group or PTA to help with •this project, event or curriculum.
Before and After School ProgramsBefore and after school programs often need volunteer help •from parents.
Work with the before or after school coordinator to identify •areas in which parents can help. The coordinator may develop
a parent leadership group to help inform and train other
parent volunteers.
Be specific about what kind of help is needed and the role •parents can play. For example, parents could assist the after
school instructor with overseeing homework one hour a week
or assist with outdoor play.
3Tips for W
orking with Schools
23www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
School Environment Flow Chart
As you work with schools, it is helpful to understand the school
environment structure. Knowing this background before
you pursue a project in your school will help you understand the
dynamics of the school environment and be better prepared when
you approach school leaders. School environment structure varies
by district. The school structure will vary from school to school so we
encourage your parent group to request a hierarchical flowchart
from your school or research it on the internet. Below is an example
of a school environment structure.
3School Environment Flow Chart
The following provides a description for each title:
School Board: Oversees public schools and ensures they are
in compliance with constitutional responsibilities.
Superintendent: Oversees and enhances educational
programs, implements rules, regulations, policies and procedures
and increases student achievement.
School Improvement Teams: These are formal committees
composed of community members and parents who advise the
school district (name may vary by district).
District Administrators: Administrators oversee specific
areas such as: curriculum and instruction development, student
services, special needs, English language learners, athletics,
transportation, federal programs, testing and assessment, finances, etc.
24 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
School Principal: Oversees school operations, providing staff
with necessary skills to fulfill educational goals, and ensures
the rules, regulations, policies and procedures are enforced and
fulfilled.
Assistant Principal: Assists the school principal in
overseeing school operations, providing staff with necessary
skills to fulfill educational goals, and ensuring the rules,
regulations, policies and procedures are enforced and fulfilled.
Parent Advisory Committee(s): Advises the school
principal in student matters and educational needs.
Standing Parent Committees and/or Ad Hoc Committees: Committee roles will vary; some committees are
responsible for representing the student body and others represent
parent and student interests. Committees may consist of Parent-
Teacher Associations (PTA), other parent groups and English-
Language Acquisition Parent Advisory Councils (ELA PAC).
Teachers: Assist students in gaining the necessary skills
to be successful in life, such as social-emotional and cognitive
development.
School Support Staff: Provides student support services,
such as, counseling, case management and psychological
assistance.
Your parent group will want to familiarize themselves with the
school nutrition and physical education (PE) environment in order
to be adequately prepared before approaching school leaders about
a specific project.
3School Environment Flow Chart
25www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
School Nutrition Environment
The school nutrition environment at your school often includes
several nutrition programs that are governed by the United
States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The USDA sets the
regulations for the school nutrition programs that operate at your
school. Participating schools receive cash and food commodity
support or reimbursement for each meal they serve, and in turn,
they serve meals that meet certain dietary regulations set by the
USDA. The nutrition environment is very complex because of the
regulatory constraints that govern them. As a parent, before you
decide this is an area you want to work on, it is very important for
you to learn as much as possible about how the programs operate
and the regulatory restraints that govern them.
National School Lunch and Breakfast ProgramsThe National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs are
administered by the USDA and the Ohio Department of Education.
Schools who participate in one of the school meal programs offered
by the USDA are required by law to meet specific nutritional
standards and offer free or reduced-price lunches to eligible
children. In turn, schools receive cash subsidies and donated
commodity foods. School nutrition staff face many challenges as
they strive to serve nutritionally sound meals that meet federal
requirements and are acceptable to children. Many districts work
under tight budget constraints that create a challenge to serve
quality meals that are cost effective.
Nutritional RequirementsIn 1995 the USDA launched the School Meals Initiative for Healthy
Children with the goal to improve the nutritional quality of
meals served at schools. The initiative requires school meals to
be consistent with current Dietary Guidelines for Americans and
provide:
no more than 30% of calories from fat•no more than 10% of calories from saturated fat•one-third of a child’s daily calorie needs and key •nutrients for lunch
one-fourth of a child’s daily key nutrient and calorie needs •for breakfast
Knowing the Facts Meals served as part of the school meal program are age-appropriate
serving sizes. This is one of the last places children can get a meal
3School Nutrition Environment
26 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
that is not super-sized! Children who participate in the National
School Lunch Program also consume more servings of fruits and
vegetables and greater amount of grains and dairy than children
who eat lunch brought from home.1
How Schools Decide What to Serve Their StudentsThe federal government requires that school meals contain
certain food components and specific portion sizes. Local schools
make decisions about specific foods to serve and how they are
prepared. Cultural and regional preferences play a role in what
foods are served. Many nutrition professionals work with student
focus groups and/or survey students to determine what foods are
acceptable. District size may also determine decisions related to
menu choices. Larger school districts may have a set menu that all
schools follow while smaller schools may make menu decisions at
the building level. It is best to contact the individual responsible
for menu planning to start a constructive dialogue.
To find more information about the USDA meal programs contact:
Children’s Hunger Alliance
www.ChildrensHungerAlliance.org
Ohio Department of Education
http://education.ohio.gov/GD/Templates/Pages/ODE/
ODEPrimary.aspx?Page=2&TopicID=763&TopicRelationID=828
Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)
www.fns.usda.gov
3School Nutrition Environment
27www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Competitive Foods
What Are Competitive Foods?
Competitive foods are all foods and beverages offered or sold
at school that are not part of the USDA school meal program.
Competitive foods are often sold to help school nutrition programs
generate enough revenue to pay for staff, food and equipment.
What Are the Two Main Types of Competitive Foods?1. Foods of Minimal Nutritional Value (FMNV) Foods of Minimal Nutritional Value are categorized in the
regulations for the National School Lunch Program. Currently, the
Federal government does not allow these food items to be sold in
the school cafeteria service area during the school meal periods.
Examples of FMNV include soda water, chewing gum, water ices,
hard candy, jellies and gums, marshmallow candies, fondant,
licorice, spun candy and candy coated popcorn.
2. Other Foods and Beverages Available for Individual Sale Regulations do not prohibit the sale of these foods at any time
during the school day anywhere on the school campus, including
the school cafeteria service areas. Below are some examples of
foods available for individual sale.
A La Carte ItemsIn addition to offering meals to students, many school nutrition
programs sell other foods and beverages as a la carte. The items
selected for a la carte sale are chosen and purchased by the food
service department. Income from the sale of these items is an
additional source of revenue for the school nutrition program.
Vending Machine Items and/or Snack BarsVending machines and snack bars may be located in the school
cafeteria service area. However, if they contain FMNV they must
be turned off during the time school meals are served. This does
not apply to vending machines outside of the school cafeteria
service area.
School Store Foods and SnacksGenerally, these are located outside of the school cafeteria service
area. Sales from these foods and beverages usually benefit the
other school activities.
3Competitive Foods
“Competitive foods
are any available
foods offered at
school other than
those offered through
the USDA school
meal program.”
28 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Second Servings of School MealsSecond servings of food items on the school meal line are considered
outside of the regulated USDA school meal pattern, so therefore
they are considered “competitive foods.”
Note: Many states have created regulations and guidelines that go
beyond the federal requirements.
Why Do Schools Sell Competitive Foods?1. Support for School Meal Programs - Most school meal
programs are required to be self supported, without any financial
support from the school district. Competitive foods help schools
remain financially solvent.
2. Increased Financial Demands - Profits are used by the school
in times of budget cuts to support programs such as athletics,
educational programs, etc.
3. “Pouring Rights” Contracts - Many schools have contracts with
popular soft drink companies, who are willing to give higher
payments for higher sales, leading to an increase in promoting
soft drink consumption.
4. Student Preferences - Students come to school with established
preferences for fast food, salty snacks and sweetened beverages.
The School Health Policy and Program Study, 2006 found that:
32% of elementary schools, 71% of middle schools and 89% of •high schools have vending machines, school stores, canteen
or snack bars where students can purchase snack foods or
beverages.2
12.9% of elementary schools, 25% of middle schools and 48% •of high schools allow students to purchase snack foods and
beverages high in fat, sodium or added sugars from a vending
machine or in a school store, canteen or snack bar during
lunch periods.2
18% of states and 17% of districts require that schools make •healthy beverages such as bottled water or low-fat milk
available to students whenever beverages are offered or sold.
from 2000 to 2006, states that prohibit schools from offering •junk foods in vending machines increased from 8% to 32%.2
3Competitive Foods
29www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Competitive Food Standards in Wellness PoliciesAll schools participating in the National School Lunch Program
are required by law to implement a School Wellness Policy. School
Wellness Policies consist of five key components: setting nutrition
education goals, setting physical activity goals, establishing
nutrition standards for all foods available on school campus
during the school day, setting goals for other school-based
activities designed to promote student wellness and setting goals
for measurement and evaluation.
Many states and national groups have created nutrition
standards for competitive foods. There are several options that
schools can choose from to use as nutrition standards for snack
foods and beverages. Schools considering adopting nutrition
standards for foods and beverages must keep in mind student
preferences, nutritional quality and maintaining revenue needed
for the operation of the school nutrition program or other school
activities.
Actions Schools Can Take to Enhance the Nutrition Environment:
Develop nutrition standards that are consistent with the •Dietary Guidelines for Americans considering nutrients to
avoid, as well as those nutrients students need more of in their
diets.
Strive to provide a nutrition environment conducive to •healthful eating behaviors.
Ensure that all school meals meet the Dietary Guidelines for •Americans.
Consider cultural and regional food preferences when •planning school meals.
Resources for Nutrition StandardsSchool Nutrition Association: National Nutrition Standards and
Recommendations
www.schoolnutrition.org/uploadedFiles/School_Nutrition/16_
LegislativeAction/SNA_National_Nutrition_Standards.pdf
Institute of Medicine: Nutrition Standards for Foods in Schools:
Leading the Way toward Healthier Youth
www.iom.edu/CMS/3788/30181/42502.aspx
Snackwise® Nutrition Rating System
www.snackwise.org
“All schools that
participate in the
National School
Lunch Program are
required by law to
implement a School
Wellness Policy.”3
Competitive Foods
30 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Action for Healthy Kids
www.ActionforHealthyKids.org
Alliance for a Healthier Generation
www.healthiergeneration.org
References1 Fox, M.K., Crepinsek, M., Connor, P., Battaglia, M. School Nutrition Dietary Assessment Study–II: Summary of Findings. Available at www.fns.usda.gov/oane/MENU/Published/CNP/FILES/SNDAIIfind.pdf (Accessed 06/11/ 03).
2 School Health Policies and Programs Study, 2006, Journal of School Health, Volume 77, Number 8, October 2007.
3Competitive Foods
31www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Physical Education Programs
What Constitutes a Quality Physical Education Program?
Q uality physical education programs are important because
they offer learning experiences that meet the developmental
needs of youngsters. They help improve a child’s mental alertness,
readiness to learn, enthusiasm for learning and their academic
performance.
According to the National Association for Sport and Physical
Education, a high quality physical education program includes the
following components: opportunity to learn, meaningful content
and appropriate instruction.
Opportunity to LearnInstructional periods totaling 150 minutes per week •(elementary) and 225 minutes per week (middle and
secondary school).
Qualified physical education specialist providing a •developmentally appropriate program.
Adequate equipment and facilities.•
Meaningful ContentInstruction in a variety of motor skills that are designed •to enhance the physical, mental and social/emotional
development of every child.
Fitness education and assessment to help children understand, •improve and/or maintain their physical well-being.
Development of cognitive concepts about motor skills and •fitness.
Opportunities to improve their emerging social and •cooperative skills and gain a multi-cultural perspective.
Promotion of regular amounts of appropriate physical activity •now and throughout life.
Appropriate InstructionFull inclusion of all students.•Maximum practice opportunities for class activities.•Well-designed lessons that facilitate student learning.•Out-of-school assignments that support learning and practice.•No physical activity for punishment.•Regular assessment to monitor and reinforce student learning.•
3Physical Education Programs and Policies
32 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
School Policies
Schools play an important role in ensuring that students’
eating habits and access to physical activity contribute to
their learning achievement and lifelong good health. Teachers,
parents, and other members of the community hold the power to
create positive changes within local school systems everyday.
Whether altering an existing policy or creating an entirely new
policy, concerned individuals have the right and ability to create
positive changes for the children of Ohio. The first step in creating
positive change is to understand what a policy is and how it is
implemented.
What is a Policy? Policies are official statements of vision and judgment that address
the needs of a school district or classroom. Polices generally
address the following questions:
What are the desired changes?•Why should these changes be considered?•Who will be responsible for implementing the new changes?•
Policies can help frame a school’s convictions, values and beliefs
and provide the necessary leadership, direction, and commitment
to accomplish specific goals to positively influence the school
environment. Below is a sample School Board Policy from the
California State Board of Education.
3School Policies
“The first step
in creating positive
change is to
understand what a
policy is and how it
is implemented.”
Nutritional Quality of “Food and Beverage Sales on School Campuses” by the Child Nutrition Advisory CouncilThe California State Board of Education believes that (1)
nutritional status of children helps determine the overall
quality of their health and ability to learn; (2) schools play an
influential role in the development of lifelong eating habits;
and (3) appropriate training of school district personnel in
nutrition education activities is essential.
The State of Education, therefore, recommends that:
1. Local school districts and county offices provide
nutrition education as a part of a comprehensive health
program.
2. Local school districts and county offices integrate the
child nutrition program into the nutrition education
33www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
School Wellness PoliciesUnderstanding and Getting Involved with Your School’s Wellness PolicyThe Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 required
all local school districts participating in the National School Lunch
Program to have a School District Wellness Policy in place by July
1, 2006.
School Wellness Policies consist of five key components:
Nutrition and Physical Education Goals – These address •nutrition and PE curriculum and educational activities in and
outside of the classroom.
Physical Activity Goals – This section includes providing •ample opportunities for students to engage in physical
activity throughout the school day. This may include before or
after school activity clubs, classroom physical activity breaks
and set schedules for recess.
Nutrition Standards – This includes nutrition standards or •recommendations for all foods available on the school campus
during the school day. This may include vending, school
stores, concessions, etc.
Goals for Other School Based Activities – This goal addresses •any other activity designed to promote student wellness.
Measurement and Evaluation – The wellness policy should •state how and when the goals are reviewed to evaluate success
and note whether changes need to be made to improve the
health and wellness of the students.
The law requires that the Wellness Policies be developed and
implemented by “local parents, teachers, administrators, school
food service, school boards and the public.” Many schools also
include students and school nurses in this list. The law clearly
articulates that the Wellness Policies are to be developed locally
and not imposed on school districts by the government.
component of the district’s comprehensive health
education curriculum.
3. Local school districts and county offices develop a plan
for the training of all personnel associated with the
child nutrition program.
4. Local school districts and county offices provide health,
nutrition, and food service education and training to
their food service personnel consistent with the Health
Education Framework.
3School Policies
34 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
What Can Parents Do?There are targeted areas at your school where parents can help to
implement Wellness Policies and support education, healthy eating
and physical activity.
Do a Status CheckMake sure you know the status of your school environment. Visit the
school, talk with the principal and staff, and work with your PTA.
Get in the Loop Find out who is currently working on the Wellness Policy through
your local education agency. Are they reaching out to parents, as
required by law? Is there an opportunity for parents to get involved
in the planning process?
Be an AdvocateActively support wellness causes and programs in your school. Stay
up-to-date on events and issues that come up in your community.
The better informed you are, the better you will be able to advocate
on behalf of the causes that are important to you.
Build SupportWhile policies are being developed at the district level, work with
your PTA to develop a wellness committee for your own school.
Get parents, teachers, the principal, students, administrators, food
service personnel, a dietitian and the school nurse to work together
to find ways for improving school health.
Spread the Word Make sure parents, friends, and neighbors know all about the
exciting new opportunity to create healthier learning environments
for Ohio’s children.
Some Final Considerations Regarding School PoliciesRespect School LeadersInvolve local school leaders through the process including policy
development and other program initiatives being planned.
Set Clear GoalsSet goals according to the best interest of the children. You may
need to find an acceptable balance among competing objectives.
3School Policies
35www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Compromise Does Not Mean DefeatYou may need to begin a project as a small pilot program instead
of a district wide policy. View compromise as a partial victory that
lays a foundation for future efforts.
Be Persistent Your efforts will probably take more time and effort than expected.
Be patient, yet persistent.
Sustain the EffortDo a periodic check to note how well the policy is being managed
and enforced. Help ensure that evaluation and feedback processes
are built into the policy and work smoothly.
Section 6 of the Parent Toolkit describes how your parent group
can develop and implement a School Wellness Policy.
3School Policies
36 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
School Health Environment Assessment37 Conduct a Needs Assessment
38 Assessment Resources
40 Key Assessment Questions
Section 4
37www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Conduct a Needs Assessment
The first step for your parent group is to identify areas of the
school environment that could be improved. In this section
you will find a sample assessment survey, as well as information
about other surveys you may wish to utilize.
How Healthy is Your School? As you conduct a school assessment, you may find your school
excels in certain areas but is surprisingly lacking in others. Some
projects may not be appropriate for your school, given its particular
financial situation, geography or demographics. But even making
small changes as a result of what you find through the survey may
not be as difficult as you imagine. Small changes will go a long
way toward promoting the student body’s health and wellness.
Use the survey located in this section as a tool to get a quick idea of
how successful your school is in supporting student nutrition and
physical activity.
1. Ask different group members to volunteer to complete different
sections of this survey. They will be responsible for finding out the
answers to questions by approaching the principal, school food
service staff and/or the physical education staff (review the section
on “Tips for Working with Schools”). They will also want to talk
with students and take a look at the school environment. Have the
group members mark each question with a yes or no and write any
relevant notes.
2. Have your members reconvene to discuss results and to make
plans for action.
3. Act on your findings. If the survey reveals areas in which your
school can make improvements, use the “P.A.R.E.N.T. Process”
section of the toolkit to find the action steps needed to create
positive changes.
4Conduct a Needs Assessment
“Small changes
will go a long way
toward promoting
the student body’s
health and wellness.”
38 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Assessment Resources
1. School Health Index
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention developed
the School Health Index (SHI) to be used by schools as an
assessment tool to improve school health policies and programs.
For an in-depth assessment of the school wellness environment the
school health team may choose to use the SHI as an assessment
tool. The SHI tool evaluates eight different areas of the school
environment. Many schools in Ohio may have completed various
sections of this assessment. Contact your School Wellness Policy
coordinator or school health team to find out if the SHI was
completed, which sections of the SHI were addressed and the school
year in which it was performed.
To obtain a free copy of the SHI and a detailed self-assessment
form, use one of the following options:
Download from CDC website: •https://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/shi/Static/paper.aspx;
Request by email: cdcinfo@cdc.gov;•Call the CDC Division of Adolescent and School Health •Resource Room: 770-488-3168; or,
Request by toll-free fax: 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636).•
When ordering, please specify either elementary school version or
the middle school/high school version.
2. Nutrition Environment The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) developed
“Changing the Scene,” a kit to assist in taking action to improve
the school nutrition environment. The kit contains a wealth of
information including criteria for success, ideas for getting
activities started, handouts and success stories.
To obtain a copy of the Changing the Scene kit, visit the USDA
Team Nutrition Home Page to download or email an order form:
www.fns.usda.gov/tn. When ordering, please specify the school
name and address where you will be using the kit.
3. Buckeye Best Healthy School AwardOhio schools can participate in the Buckeye Best Healthy School
Awards Program. This program is designed to recognize schools
4Assessment Resources
39www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
whose policies and practices reflect a high priority placed on
healthy outcomes for children. The program is sponsored by the
Ohio Department of Health in partnership with the American
Cancer Society – Ohio Division and is part of the Healthy Ohio,
Healthy Communities campaign of the Ohio Department of Health.
The Buckeye Best Healthy School Awards Program accepts school
applications and ranks the schools based on their progress to
achieve a ‘gold’ standard benchmark in the areas of tobacco,
nutrition and physical activity.
Why Should a School Apply for this Award?Schools play an important role in the lives of children. Health and
academic performance are directly linked. Schools which convey
positive, healthy messages will have a student population that
is healthy, ready to learn and more likely to achieve academic
excellence.
If your school adheres to the standards of a healthy school, you
are eligible to be recognized as one of Ohio’s Buckeye Best. Why
not join the 1000 schools across Ohio who have come forward and
received recognition for their efforts in establishing a healthy
school environment?
How Does a School Apply for the Buckeye Best Award? The application is comprised of health questions specific to three
areas: tobacco, nutrition and physical education. The questions
are based on the Healthy Nutrition 2010 Objectives. It is strongly
recommended that the application be completed by a team of
school personnel in each school building who have expertise in
the three targeted areas. Each year applications are available from
the Ohio Department of Health and are submitted in January. An
interdisciplinary team of school health professionals score each
application.
School RecognitionSchools which show exemplary programs and policies will be
ranked into one of these categories: Gold, Silver, or Bronze. The
gold award winners will receive a Buckeye Best Healthy School
flag which can fly outside the school building displaying a clear
message to all that your school places a high priority on healthy
learners.
For more information, contact Ohio Department of Health, School
and Adolescent Health Section at 614-466-6039.
“Schools which
convey positive,
healthy messages
will have a student
population that
is healthy, ready
to learn and
more likely to
achieve academic
excellence.”
4Assessment Resources
40 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Key Assessment Questions
Part 1: Nutrition1. Is nutrition education part of the school curriculum?
Yes No
2. Does your school participate in the National School Lunch,
School Breakfast and/or Afterschool Snack Programs?
Yes No
3. Do students in your school have enough time to eat (i.e. at least
20 minutes for breakfast and at least 30 minutes for lunch)?
Are the food lines efficient enough to allow students adequate
eating time?
Yes No
4. Are the vending machines on campus stocked with only
healthy beverage or snack items (i.e. milk/dairy, bottled water,
100% juice, and low-fat snacks)?
Yes No
5. Are healthy snacks served at PTA events, in the classroom and
at school parties?
Yes No
6. Do students generally like the food offered at school?
Yes No
7. Are only nutritious foods used as fundraiser items?
Yes No
Note: If you answered “No” to any of these questions, refer to the “Follow
the P.A.R.E.N.T. Process” section of this toolkit for an explanation of
different projects you can select to make change in the area of nutrition in
the school environment.
Part II: Physical Education and Activity 1. Do all students participate in daily physical activity at school
(including recess and at least 30 minutes a day of physical
education)?
Yes No
2. If physical education is available, do the classes teach skills
and behaviors promoting lifelong fitness (as opposed to
competitive sports only)?
Yes No
4Key Assessment Questions
41www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
3. Are school recreational facilities adequate (e.g. upkeep of gym
equipment and grounds)? Are there no safety concerns?
Yes No
4. Are school recreational facilities (e.g. gymnasium, pool, fields,
and tennis and basketball courts) available for use by students
before and after school hours?
Yes No
5. Are students taught the importance of physical activity for
health maintenance?
Yes No
6. Are teachers encouraged to incorporate fitness breaks or
physical activity to reinforce classroom learning?
Yes No
7. Is recess available to all students, including those who are
being disciplined?
Yes No
8. Is physical activity encouraged before or after school (walk/
bike to school, active after-school programming)?
Yes No
Note: If you answered “No” to any of these questions, refer to the
“P.A.R.E.N.T. Process” section of this toolkit for an explanation
of different projects you can select to make change in the area of
physical activity/physical education in the school environment.
Developed from information and resources from www.pta.org and
www.parentsaction.org.
4Key Assessment Questions
42 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Evaluation 43 Evaluation
47 Share Your Success Story
49 Mini-Grant Success Stories from Zone Teams
Section 5
43www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Evaluation
Evaluation is the careful collection of information which you
use to assess your program. You can then use the assessment
to make the best decisions about the direction of your program.
There are many good reasons as to why it is important to evaluate
your program. Many people believe evaluation is about proving
that your program was a success and nothing more needs to be
done, but it is much more than that. A proper evaluation provides
continuous feedback that allows you to adjust your program and
improve efforts to promote health and development at any level. As
time goes on and you are able to demonstrate that your efforts are
making a difference, it will also help to:
• enlistandmotivateyourvolunteers
• attractnewcollaborators
• gathersupportforotherprojects
• retainorencouragefunding
• gaincommunitysupportandrecognition
• strengthentheexistingprogram
Your project or program contains several important components:
1. INPUTS are the resources put into or consumed by the
program. They will include money, volunteer time, facilities
and/or supplies.
2. ACTIVITIES are what the program does with the inputs to
reach your goal such as increase breakfast participation or
start a walking club.
3. OUTPUTS are the direct number of products or program
activities such as the number of materials distributed, number
of events or number of people served.
4. OUTCOMES are the important results. They are the benefits
or changes affecting the participants after they are in your
program. This can include increased knowledge, a change of
attitude or behavior, increased skills or an improved condition.
Your program evaluation plan depends on which of the components
above you want to focus on and what information you need to know
in order to adjust your efforts. Do you want to know whether the
program met your activity goal, how many students participated or
if your students were impacted by the program? The more focused
you are about what you want to know, or what your stakeholders
want to know, the more efficient you will be with your evaluation.
5Evaluation
“A proper
evaluation provides
continuous feedback
that allows you to
adjust your program
and improve efforts
to promote health
and development
at any level.”
44 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Goal Based EvaluationGoal Based Evaluations look at the specific goals that are
described in the original action plan. Goal Based Evaluations
look at the extent the program met the predetermined goal and
the process involved in accomplishing the goal. Questions you
may ask in the evaluation include:
Was the goal achieved?•Were there adequate resources to reach the goal?•Was the timeline sufficient or should the timeline be changed?•
Collecting and recording information on the steps you took
to create and implement your project is a way to evaluate your
progress. Ongoing feedback can help to improve your efforts and
will guide any necessary adjustment for policies, projects or other
interventions. It can show you where changes need to be made and
can help others who may want to follow in your footsteps or lead
their own wellness project.
Process Based EvaluationLooking at outputs is a Process Based Evaluation. Outputs can be a
number focused evaluation which counts materials or participants.
Or, this evaluation can be geared to understanding how the program
works, what you are putting into it and what you are getting out.
These are particularly valuable for long standing programs that
have changed or where participants report increasing complaints
about the program. Questions to consider include:
How do participants decide the program is something they •want to do?
How do they come to the program?•Is there a process the participants must go through?•What do participants and/or staff feel are the strengths and •weaknesses of the program?
What are the common complaints about the program and how •would they recommend improving the program?
Outcome Based EvaluationLastly, Outcome Based Evaluation looks at the benefits to the
participants from going through the program. They most often are
discussed in terms of increased learning, knowledge, perceptions,
attitudes or skills. Outcomes are often confused with program
outputs. Outputs are units of service, numbers of items or number
of participants who went through the program. Outcomes are
5Evaluation
45www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
the impact your program had on the participants. This type of
evaluation holds the group accountable to the administration, the
community and/or the funding agency. It demonstrates the true
impact of your program and that real change was the result. To
decide what type of evaluation you will do, ask yourself some key
questions:
1. What is the purpose of the evaluation? What do you want to
know as a result of the evaluation?
2. Who will receive the results of the evaluation: the group, the
administration, the school board, or funders?
3. What information do the stakeholders want to know:
achievement of the goal, an improved program, behavior
changes, increased community support?
4. What kind of information is needed to make the decisions
you need to make about the program: information about the
process of the program, information about the number of
participants or students who experienced the program, or how
the program benefited the students?
5. From what sources should the information be collected: staff,
students, parents, program documentation?
6. How can the information be collected: questionnaires,
interviews, observations, focus groups or available
documentation?
7. What resources are available to collect the information?
8. When is the information needed?
When it comes to the information you need to collect for your
evaluation, there are a variety of methods available. The following
is a listing of the major methods used in collecting data during an
evaluation.
Records can give comprehensive information and usually already
exist. It may take time to go through records but they will give
general, unbiased information. Examples of available records
include:
absenteeism•participation in voluntary programs•use of fitness facilities or health services•proficiency exam scores•phone call logs•physical measures such as blood pressure, cholesterol, •strength, flexibility, etc.
documents such as written policy, curriculum content, •medical or police records
5Evaluation
46 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Observations are used to gather information about how a program
operates or to gather behavioral information. It often takes time
to do this and interpreting behaviors can be complex. Examples
of observations include: behaviors such as food choices, amount
of time spent in activity, conflict avoidance, activity choices,
spoken educational messages or smoking. You can also look at
environmental observations which include educational messages
in audio or posters, cleanliness, hazards, etc.
Questionnaires/surveys can give a lot of information quickly in a
non-threatening way. They are inexpensive and easy to administer,
however they can be biased and might not give you the full story.
Examples include voting and “paper and pencil” surveys.
Interviews can give you a full understanding of someone’s
experience or impressions about your program but take time to
perform and can be costly. Examples include face to face surveys,
phone interviews, focus groups and community forums.
Finally, do not balk at evaluation because it seems too hard or a
lot of work. It is relatively easy, and you and your group need to
review your progress frequently to recognize your strengths and
areas that may need improvement. The evaluation plan does not
have to be perfect. It is important to do some type of evaluation
even if it shows weaknesses. You will learn a great deal about your
program by understanding the failures as well as the successes.
And if necessary, make adjustments to your plan of action as you
move toward your ultimate goal.
5Evaluation
47www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Share Your Success Story!
Congratulations! You have officially made a positive difference
in the lives of your local youth. Thanks to your efforts, the
nation is one step closer to defeating the childhood obesity epidemic
and other rising health concerns. Now you are ready to publicly
share your success story and motivate others to make positive
health changes within their local communities.
ResourcesOhio Action for Healthy Kids - Share Your Success Stories!Ohio Action for Healthy Kids is anxious to hear about the successes
in your school. Any change or improvement your school has made
with regard to nutrition and physical activity is considered a
success. By sharing your stories, you may inspire others to adopt
your best practices in their schools. There is no limit to the number
of success stories that your school can submit. In fact, we encourage
you to submit as many success stories as you would like.
Click on the link below to download the form for submission.
Remember to fill out a separate form for each success story. Please
send your forms or any questions to Jan Meyer at
JMeyer.OhioAFHK@gmail.com.
www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org/success_stories/
Telling Your Story: Getting Others to Hear About Your SuccessThe “Telling Your Story” media toolkit was developed by the
American Heart Association in conjunction with Ohio Action for
Healthy Kids. This toolkit can help your parent group incorporate
media advocacy into their local action plan by discussing the
meaning of media advocacy, providing background tips for working
with the media, and providing tools and resources for conducting
effective local media advisory activities. Access the “Team Member
Center” and then the “Tools for Teams” section of the website:
www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org/state_team/documents/
telling_your_story_media_advocacy_toolkit.pdf
Changing the Scene - Improving the School Nutrition EnvironmentThis toolkit addresses the entire school nutrition environment
including: a commitment to nutrition and physical activity,
pleasant eating experiences, quality school meals, other healthy
food options, nutrition education and marketing your program to
5Share Your Success Story!
“Any change or
improvement that
your school has
made with regard
to nutrition and
physical activity
is considered
a success.”
48 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
the public. This kit can help local people take action to improve
their school’s nutrition environment. The kit includes a variety of
tools for use at the local level to raise awareness and address school
environment issues that influence students’ eating and physical
activity practices. You will also find sample letters, sample scripts
and tips on how to share your story.
www.fns.usda.gov/tn/Resources/changing.html
Work Group on Health Promotion and Community DevelopmentThe Work Group on Health Promotion and Community Development
at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas, developed and
maintains the Community Tool Box at http://ctb.ku.edu/index.jsp.
The Tool Box provides over 7,000 pages of practical information
to support your work in promoting community health and
development.
The core of the Tool Box is the “topic sections” that include practical
guidance for the different tasks necessary to promote community
health and development. For instance, there are sections on
leadership, strategic planning, community assessment, grant
writing, and evaluation. Each section includes a description of the
task, advantages of doing it, step-by-step guidelines, examples,
checklists of points to review and training materials.
http://ctb.ku.edu/en/
5Share Your Success Story!
49www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Mini-Grant Success Stories from Zone Teams
IntroductionEvery year Ohio Action for Healthy Kids offers mini-grants to
schools to support projects that advance school wellness policies.
The purpose of the mini-grants is to improve the physical activity
and nutrition behaviors of students and staff through education,
policy and/or environmental changes. The primary audience is
students in grades K-12. However, mini-grants may be used for
activities to engage parents and staff as role models.
Mini-grant projects address one or more of the OAFHK goals
listed below:
Expand participation and/or access to school breakfast.•Improve the nutrition environment through policy, education •and/or activities at school.
Increase opportunities for students to be involved in physical •activity at school.
The following stories share some of the outcomes from mini-grant
programs as well as other success stories from schools around
that state. If your school has made positive changes in the area
of school wellness we would love to hear your story. Please visit
www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org for more information on how
to apply for a mini-grant or to submit your success story.
School Breakfast Program (SBP)Riverside Local Schools (Zone 4)Description of Program: Riverside Local Schools used their
mini-grant to provide a one-day universal breakfast at Buckeye
Elementary School on March 6, 2008. The project reached over
200 children. Normal breakfast participation is 50 students per
day. Through staff promotion and encouragement, 230 students
(a 460% increase) ate breakfast on March 6th. It is the goal of
Kelly Minnick, Foodservice Director, to continue the students’
participation in this program for the remainder of the school year.
Number of Individuals Impacted: 230 students
Mini-Grant Funds: $250
Arlington Elementary School (Zone 1)Description of Program: Arlington Elementary implemented
a breakfast promotion activity to encourage its students to
take part in the breakfast program. A friendly competition
5Mini-Grant Success Stories
50 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
between the classrooms in the K-6 school began. During daily
announcements, the winning classroom was identified. Weekly
incentives were provided and a grand prize was awarded to the
winning classroom.
Number of Individuals Impacted: 522 students, 36 teachers
Mini-Grant Fund: $600
Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center (Zone 5)Description of Program: Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology
Center used the mini-grant to begin a successful SBP, “Step Up to
the Plate for Breakfast.” The goal was to educate students about
the importance of a good, healthy breakfast at the beginning of
each day. It began as a Universal Breakfast Program in which
every student received breakfast at no cost. This way no one is
left out and everyone is encouraged to participate. The school
recognizes the benefits of a healthy nutritional diet. Many
students feel ill and weak without proper nutrition. They perform
best when they consume the proper nutrients their bodies need.
Each student who participates in the free breakfast program
receives three or four components that make up a healthy
breakfast, including milk, juice, protein and carbohydrates
along with essential vitamins and minerals. The Universal
Breakfast Program has been a huge success and an estimated
308 students (out of 598) participate on a regular basis. Prior to
this program, there were only approximately 20 students who
ate the provided school breakfast. Teachers report that students’
academic performance and concentration levels have improved.
Staff members state less students complain about being hungry.
Tardiness has also declined. Overall, both students and staff
members are pleased with the program’s results.
Number of Individuals Impacted: 340 students, 75 staff members
Mini-Grant Funds: $500
Norwich Elementary School (Zone 8)Description of Program: The overall goal of the project was to
increase participation in the new SBP. The three main activities
conducted were:
1) Dispersal of education information about breakfast and the new
breakfast program to parents with an attention-getting invitation
to a “North Pole Breakfast Celebration” to all families and staff;
2) Free trial breakfast for the Norwich community (all staff, parents
and teachers) on Tuesday, December 18th from 8:30-9:20 a.m.; and,
3) The importance of breakfast was infused into all subsequent
wellness activities throughout the rest of the school year.
Number of Individuals Impacted: 515 students, 380 families
Mini-Grant Funds: $350
5Mini-Grant Success Stories
51www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Huntington Elementary School (Zone 5)Description of Program: Huntington Elementary School used
their mini-grant to implement the “Ready, Set, Breakfast!!!”
program. The school held an “intervention” to raise awareness
about the importance of daily breakfast. Students and parents
were given a survey to calculate breakfast participation and
retain valuable feedback. After the survey was conducted,
students and parents received informative letters regarding
the benefits of a nutritious breakfast. In March, the “Ready,
Set, Breakfast!!!” bulletin was created addressing different
aspects of breakfast. Beginning in April, items were purchased
and breakfast was served every Thursday. The choices were
rotated every week. Results show an 8.8% increase in breakfast
participation on the day that the healthy breakfast is served. The
school nurse is thankful for this opportunity to show the students
that healthy food can taste good and be inexpensive. The school
also received a Fresh Veggie/Fruit grant that allowed them to
offer fruit to their students.
Number of Individuals Impacted: 600 students, 6 kitchen staff
members
Mini-Grant Funds: $500
Archbold Elementary School (Zone 1)Description of Program: Archbold Elementary School promoted
its breakfast program through several activities. During the
school’s open house in August, the breakfast program was
introduced to the students, parents and staff members and a
sampling was provided to all attendees. The school also held
a taste testing for students in September and the “Don’t Skip
Breakfast” competition broke out amongst the classrooms.
Further promotion included a milk mustache photo session and
news articles have been written about the program.
Number of Individuals Impacted: 530 students, 32 staff members
Mini-Grant Fund: $800
Chardon Middle School (Zone 4)Description of Program: Chardon Middle School used the mini-
grant to hold a Healthy Breakfast Challenge for its 7th and 8th
grade students. Morning announcements promoted the breakfast
program and afterschool challenge. Students searched through
cookbooks, surfed the Internet or shared favorite family recipes
to present a healthy breakfast entry. As a result of the program,
students are interested in reinstituting a year-long cooking club.
Number of Individuals Impacted: 610 students
Mini-Grant Funds: $250
5Mini-Grant Success Stories
52 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Teen AdvocacyCarrollton High School (Zone 7)Description of Program: Carrollton High School used their
mini-grant to create a new student wellness club called “Teen
Advocates for Health Awareness” (TAFHA). The Teen Advocates’
impact on the entire school district has been extraordinary
and they are commonly viewed as the “healthy role models”
through their promotion of a healthy school environment. They
aim at decreasing the childhood obesity rate through nutrition
education, physical activity and healthy changes in the school
cafeteria and vending machines. The Teen Advocates promote
TAFHA by wearing fruit and vegetable t-shirts with the theme
“Chomp this! For a healthier you!”. Wellness tips are also
broadcasted during the morning announcements twice a week.
The school nurses, family consumer science teachers and area
dietitians act as the wellness advisors. The Teen Advocates have
assisted with several wellness events in the elementary school and
high school. They also planned a health fair for the 3rd graders
(200 students) and shared educational materials on nutrition
and physical activity, in which students made their own healthy
snack. Prizes were donated by community agencies, including
the local hospitals, businesses and health department. The group
is already planning wellness events for the next school year.
Number of Individuals Impacted: 200 students, 20 school staff
members, parents & community (listed in newspaper)
Mini-Grant Funds: N/A
Physical ActivityFassett Middle School (Zone 1)Description of Program: The mini-grant was used to sustain and
maintain the “Lifetime Fitness Club” at Fassett Middle School,
which is a fitness club available to all students after school. The
club meets for one hour each day and students participate in a
variety of activities. The club has also taken field trips to help the
students experience a variety of other activities, such as spinning,
yoga and ice skating. A second mini-grant will help implement
healthy snacks into the program. Lisa Stevens, PE teacher and
club founder, was awarded with the Glass Apple Award and
featured on NBC24 television.
Number of Individuals Impacted: 50 students, 2 teachers,
40 parents
Mini-Grant Fund: 2 - $500 grants
5Mini-Grant Success Stories
53www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Lake Middle & High Schools (Zone 1)Description of Program: The “Walk-Fit Club” targets staff
members and non-student athletes and encourages them to
engage in physical activity. Participants will walk for 30
minutes and then do another activity (i.e. yoga, Pilates, aerobics
or cardio-dance). The club meets three times per week during a
6-week period. The group’s popularity has greatly increased and
the athletic teams openly acknowledge and encourage the club
members. The community has embraced the club and several
parents are interested in joining.
Number of Individuals Impacted: 2 students, 3 staff members
(enrolled in the club)
Mini-Grant Fund: $500
Fayette Elementary School (Zone 1) Description of Program: The mini-grant helped implement a
walking program challenge in the school, in which each grade
competed against the other classroom to walk across America.
Classroom teachers held discussions using virtual maps. The
students’ receptiveness was measured by surveys to see if their
attitudes towards physical activity had improved.
Number of Individuals Impacted: 275 students
Mini-Grant Fund: $500
East Palestine Elementary School (Zone 4)Description of Program: The East Palestine Elementary school
health team wanted to increase the amount of physical activity
for their 2nd grade students. The team aimed to get students
moving daily, with a 15 minute continuous aerobic-like exercise
each afternoon for 18 weeks. The project is called “Building
Better Bulldogs” after the district’s mascot. A friendly exercise
competition began between the second grade classrooms.
Number of Individuals Impacted: 101 students
Mini-Grant Funds: $250
Roosevelt Elementary School (Zone 4)Description of Program: Roosevelt Elementary School used the
mini-grant to purchase exercise tapes and a DVD player for its
new “Roosevelt Rise and Shine” morning exercise program.
Immediately following morning announcements, students
participate in an exercise activity sent to them through the
building-wide television system.
Number of Individuals Impacted: 711 students
Mini-Grant Funds: $250
5Mini-Grant Success Stories
54 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Southern Local School (Zone 5)Description of Program: The project called “Millcreek Motion,
Nutrition Mission” encourages students to work to improve their
nutrition and physical activity. Once a month, students and
staff, on a themed, designated day, walked an area inside named
“Miller Mile.” Initially students and staff had difficulty with
the new activity, but very quickly, the pace changed. Soon the
participants, dressed in sweats and tennis shoes, were laughing,
cheering and singing as they walked. At the end of each activity,
students and staff were treated to a nutritious snack.
Number of Individuals Impacted: 450+ students
Mini-Grant Funds: $500
Norwich Elementary School (Zone 8)Description of Program: The purpose of the project is to create a
new system for Norwich Elementary students to be active during
their school day. A goal discussion would not be complete without
the mention of sustainability. The concept of introducing videos
during indoor recess has been approached thoughtfully, with
wellness committee and administrator involvement. This grant
funding provided the start-up “seed” necessary to begin the
initiative.
Number of Individuals Impacted: 515 students, 380 families
Mini-Grant Funds: $350
Roadoan Elementary School (Zone 3)Description of Program: Roadoan Elementary School used their
mini-grant to fund the “Get Moving Clubs,” a morning physical
activity program. The clubs encouraged students to participate
in physical activity events on Tuesdays and Thursdays before
the school day began. The clubs had a significant effect on the
students’ academic performance, health and wellbeing. The
success of the program can be attributed to administrative
support and thirteen parent/staff volunteers. The school has
plans to continue the clubs and add four additional activities in
other areas.
Number of Individuals Impacted: 300 students, school personnel
and parents
Mini-Grants Funds: $500
NutritionLeetonia Elementary School (Zone 4)Description of Program: Leetonia Elementary school health
team aimed at providing nutrition education in its second grade
classrooms, with the support of the cafeteria supervisor and
5Mini-Grant Success Stories
55www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
school nurse. Students were taught how to make healthy snacks.
The goal of the project was to increase student awareness of
nutrition choices and for students to begin making healthy food
choices at home and school.
Number of Individuals Impacted: 68 students
Mini-Grant Funds: $250
Learwood Middle School (Zone 3)Description of Program: Learwood Middle School used the mini-
grant to purchase a new vending machine for its students. The
vending machine will be stocked with healthy breakfast foods.
The school will monitor the vending machine to see if the students
and staff members are receptive to the healthier choices. Students
will also be surveyed to see if they eat breakfast on a daily basis.
Number of Individuals Impacted: 536 students, 37 staff
Mini-Grant Funds: $500
Ashtabula City Schools (Zone 4)Description of Program: The Veggie Derby Team, consisting of
community members from OSU Extension, The Master Gardeners,
4H and local Health Department, traveled to three of the district’s
buildings and visited a total of seven 5th grade classrooms. In
the cafeteria, four different stations were set up for students. The
first encouraged students to identify 25 different vegetables.
The next table taught students about the CUTES (Condition,
Uniformity, True to type, Excellence, and Size) vegetable judging
system. The third station included nutrition education (about
vegetables) and physical activity. The last activity encouraged
students to taste test different vegetable and fruit food options
(i.e. banana chips, jicama, broccoflower and dry roasted
peas). The principal participated in the event and was greatly
impressed. This also led one teacher to start a little garden in her
classroom. The Veggie Derby Team returned in May to test the
students’ knowledge of vegetables. Students also built race cars
out of vegetables and put on a race.
Number of Individuals Impacted: 168 students
Mini-Grant Funds: $500
Federal Hocking Middle & High Schools (Zone 5)Description of Program: The goal of the “Wii Like to Move It
Move It” program is to increase movement in Federal Hocking by
having students participate in planned activities that incorporate
dance and movement with today’s technology. Techniques
of square dance, line dance and ballroom dance have been
introduced, demonstrated and taught. Students also have access
to Dance Dance Revolution and Wii’s Dancing with the Stars
5Mini-Grant Success Stories
56 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
interactive game systems during school and lunch. The learned
movements and dances are incorporated into after-school dances
and life experiences. Evaluations are ongoing and records are
being kept to measure the number of participants. A fitness
survey will be given in the fall.
Number of Individuals Impacted: 654 students
Mini-Grant Funds: $500
Nutrition and Physical Activity StandardsEdgerton Elementary School (Zone 1)Description of Program: Edgerton Elementary School used their
mini-grant to implement the American Cancer Society’s nutrition
and physical activity guidelines in its building. The school
believes these guidelines will help increase nutrition intake and
the physical activity levels of the K-2 students. The overall goal
is to improve the Ohio Department of Health’s 3rd grade obesity
statistics for the school.
Number of Individuals Impacted: 150 students
Mini-Grant Funds: $500
School Health and WellnessDellroy Elementary School (Zone 7)Description of Program: Dellroy Elementary School established
a teen advocacy group to address health and wellness issues
and raise awareness of nutrition and fitness. The group was
initiated by two high school students who sit on the school’s
wellness committee. Some projects coordinated by the group
include: a Walk-A-Thon, Mentoring Program for elementary
students, quarterly BMI tests, Health Expo and Health Awareness
assemblies. This program will impact all students in the entire
district because the teen advocates will take their programs to
every single school building to encourage student participation.
Number of Individuals Impacted: 248 students
Mini-Grant Fund: $500
Clinton Elementary School (Zone 8)Description of Program: The Clinton Elementary School PTA
created the “Health Challenge” to address their concerns with
the school meals being offered at Columbus City Schools. The
parent advocates decided to use the “Health Challenge” to educate
the students about healthy food and lifestyle choices. The week
before the event, parent nutritionists taught in every classroom at
the school and emphasized the importance and fruits, vegetables
and exercise. Leading up to the “Health Challenge,” students
were offered free samples of unusual fruits and vegetables,
5Mini-Grant Success Stories
57www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
healthy fruit shakes and several fitness activities. The program’s
success was due to participation from students, staff, parents and
the entire community.
Number of Individuals Impacted: 370 students, staff, parents and
community members
Mini-Grant Funds: $350
Van Wert City Schools (Zone 2)Description of Program: Van Wert City Schools will use the
mini-grant to begin the ROADRUNNERS program, an after-
school physical fitness activity. The program will also emphasize
nutrition and health-related fitness concepts. The program will
be available to all students in grades 3-6 and meet twice a week
for one hour per week.
Number of Individuals Impacted: 560 students
Mini-Grant Fund: $800
Dover Middle School (Zone 7)Description of Program: The program is called G.U.T.S.- Girls
Using Their Strengths, and is targeted towards overweight
middle school girls. The program includes lunch meetings
with the nurse covering topics including self-esteem building,
nutrition and physical activity. In addition, there will be an
afterschool fitness club for the students. The funds will pay for
the Physical Fitness trainer, water bottles and nutritional lunch
items.
Number of Individuals Impacted: TBD
Mini-Grant Fund: $500
Afterschool ProgramsPark Elementary School (Zone 7)Description of Program: The school started an after school
program called “TAN Sessions” with TAN standing for Tutoring,
Activity and Nutrition. The program reached a consistent group
of students and supervised staff members. The school used the
mini-grant to purchase less-common physical activity equipment
to expose their students to new experiences. Materials included:
playground ball set, jump ropes, skip-its, paddle loon & batting
set, badminton set and tennis net. The program was well-received
by students and parents.
Number of Individuals Impacted: 50 students, 5 staff
Mini-Grant Funds: $500
Read more about these program on the OAFHK website
www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org/success_stories/
5Mini-Grant Success Stories
58 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
P.A.R.E.N.T. Process: Taking Action for Change 59 Introduction to the P.A.R.E.N.T. Process
61 School Wellness Policies
65 School Breakfast Program
70 Creating a Healthy School Nutrition Environment
71 Healthy Snacks in Schools
74 Healthy Fundraising Techniques
77 Non-Food Rewards and School Celebrations
80 Healthy School Celebrations and Healthy Rewards and Incentives
86 Physical Activity and Physical Education
90 Physical Activity Curricula and Programs
93 Walking Programs
97 Walking School Bus
100 P.A.R.E.N.T. Process Resources
Section 6
59www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Introduction to the P.A.R.E.N.T. Process
With the information you have learned about the school
environment, Wellness Policies, and background on school
nutrition and physical education programs, you are now ready to
start the process to create positive change in your child’s school.
The P.A.R.E.N.T. Process was developed as a guide to help your
parent advocacy group work through the basic steps needed to
identify and implement a successful wellness project. Follow the
steps of the P.A.R.E.N.T. Process described below to take action on
one of the program ideas. Or, if you have identified another area of
concern in your school, let the P.A.R.E.N.T. Process structure the
framework of your plan for improvement.
The P.A.R.E.N.T. ProcessP - Pick a ProjectPerhaps you already have a project in mind that will enhance the
health environment of the school. Or, perhaps you just want to
make your child’s school the best environment it can be but you
have not identified a good project. Either way, it is best to start by
assessing the healthy environment of the school. This will help you
to select a project that is both accomplishable and excites passion
in parent advocates
A - Assess the Situation By assessing the health environment of the school, you will
discover what is already being done to promote student health
and wellness, as well as areas that might need more attention.
Tools for assessment can be found in the section on “School
Health Environment Assessment.”
R - Research Once you have identified a project, learn as much about the issue
as possible. What will be your primary goal? Who will this project
affect? Who are the key stakeholders you need to influence in
order to accomplish the goal of the project? Review the section on
“Advocacy” to learn more about researching your project.
E - EducateProvide awareness and information about the issue and the
project. What information is needed by your target audience and
those affected by the project? What is the best way to provide that
information? Using a variety of communication methods is often
the best approach: hold meetings, post flyers, write an article for
the school newspaper or parent newsletter.
6Introduction to the P.A.R.E.N.T. Process
60 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
N - Network Talk with school administrators and staff to identify those who
support your wellness efforts. Identify other parents or parent
groups who are involved in wellness efforts at the school. Contact
community based organizations who can help disseminate your
information. When the same message and information is coming
from a variety of groups, you are more likely to make the change you
want to see.
T - Take Action When you have identified your goal, write it down along with one or
two measurable objectives. Measurable means that you will be able
to quantify or gauge any change. An example might be, “by the end
of the school year, 50% of all options in all school vending machines
will be healthy selections.” Then, develop the action steps or tactics
that need to be done to implement the project.
6Introduction to the P.A.R.E.N.T. Process
61www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
6P.A.R.E.N.T. Process School Wellness Policies
The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization
Act of 2004 required all local school districts
participating in the National School Lunch
Program to have a School District Wellness
Policy in place by July 1, 2006. The process for
implementing and evaluating a Wellness Policy
will vary from district to district. As a parent,
you can help your school or school district fulfill
the requirements of the district’s Wellness Policy.
Below you will find information which will help
you understand School Wellness Policies.
A School Wellness Policy should include five
components:
Nutrition and Physical Education (PE) Goals - •These goals address nutrition and PE
curriculum and educational activities in and
outside of the classroom.
Physical Activity Goals - This includes •providing ample opportunities for students
to engage in physical activity throughout
the school day. This may include before
or after school activity clubs, classroom
physical activity breaks and set schedules
for recess.
Nutrition Standards - This includes nutrition •standards or criteria for all foods available
on the school campus during the school
day. This may include vending, school
stores, concessions, fundraisers, school
celebrations, etc.
Goals for Other School Based Activities - This •goal addresses any other activity designed
to promote student wellness.
Measurement and Evaluation - The Wellness •Policy should state how and when the goals
are reviewed to evaluate success and note
whether changes need to be made to improve
the health and wellness of the students.
The law states that Wellness Policies should be
designed, implemented and evaluated by a team
which includes parents, teachers, administrators,
school food service staff, school board members
and members of the community. Many schools
also include students, school nurses, physical
education teachers and other interested parties
on their Wellness Policy or School Health Team.
Your PTA or parent group can come alongside
the school administration to help implement
Wellness Policies and projects that are designed to
improve your children’s health. The P.A.R.E.N.T
Process will guide your parent group through
the basic steps to implement wellness programs
at your school.
62 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
School Wellness Policies
Pick a Project - School Wellness Policies
Assess the Situation1. If your school has a website, you might start by visiting
the site to see if the district has posted the Wellness Policy.
Many times it will be included along with other School Board
Policies. If you are unable to locate the Wellness Policy on the
school website ask for a copy to review.
2. Call the school or district office and ask if the school or
district has a School Wellness or School Health Team. Ask to
speak to a member of the team.
3. State your interest in school wellness and your willingness to
help. Find out what members are on the school wellness team
and what the team is doing to implement the Wellness Policy.
4. Read through the Wellness Policy to become familiar with
goals and or projects that are currently being addressed in
your school. Knowing this information will help you find ways
to get involved and make changes.
Research1. Review information available online to learn more about
Wellness Policies. Refer to the resources listed below to get
started.
Educate1. Share the resources you have found and let the school and the
School Wellness Team know you would like to be involved in
the School Wellness process and activities. As an advocate for
child health, you can help key decision makers learn about
important school wellness issues.
2. Share suggestions, ideas for implementation and success
stories. Identify ways the parent group or PTA can expand
and strengthen the implementation of the Wellness
Policy activities. It is helpful to identify the benefits the
Wellness Policy can have on student learning and academic
achievement.
Network1. Gather the support of other parents and community members.
To learn how to bring together interested parent advocates
review Section 2 on Advocacy.
2. Discuss the School Wellness Policy with interested parents
at PTA meetings or other gatherings. Promote information
6School W
ellness Policies
63www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
about the requirements of the School Wellness Policy. Many
parents are not aware of this opportunity to improve the
health environment of their child’s school.
3. Invite members of the School Wellness Team to present at
parent meetings.
4. Designate a person from your advocacy group or PTA to be a
liaison between the School Wellness Team and the parent group.
5. Use the school newsletters, website, email, bulletin boards, etc.
to inform parents and the community why it is important to
improve student nutrition and fitness. Support from parents
and the community will strengthen efforts to implement and
sustain projects and activities that are part of the Wellness
Policy plan.
Take Action1. Suggest changes and additions to the Wellness Policy if topics
are not fully addressed. Refer to other P.A.R.E.N.T. Process
topics in this toolkit for ideas.
2. Assist the School Wellness Team with implementation of the
wellness goals.
3. Implementing a Wellness Policy is only the beginning.
Implementation requires good planning and management. A
positive attitude by everyone in the school and community can
make a huge difference in the success of the project.
4. At each PTA or parent group meeting include a report from
the School Wellness Team about the nutrition and physical
activity environment of the school.
5. The law requires the school district to have a plan for
measuring the implementation of the Wellness Policy. A very
important step in the Wellness Policy plan is to periodically
assess how well the policy is being managed and enforced. Be
prepared to update and amend the Wellness Policy.
6. Plan to assess student, parent, teacher and administration
satisfaction with the new policies. Use their feedback to help
update and amend the Wellness Policy.
ResourcesS. 2507 Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s108-2507
USDA Team Nutrition
How to Create and Implement a Local Wellness Policy: School
Wellness Policies “How To” Guide, Requirements, Examples,
Funding Opportunities, Tools and Frequently Asked Questions
www.fns.usda.gov/tn/Healthy/wellnesspolicy_steps.html
6School W
ellness Policies
64 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Action for Healthy Kids
School Wellness Policy Tool, Resources to Improve Schools and
State-by-State Action
www.ActionforHealthyKids.org/wellnesstool/index.php
Model School Wellness Policies
Model School Wellness Policies Template, Information and
Additional Resources
www.schoolwellnesspolicies.org
School Nutrition Association
School Wellness Policy Law Details, Guidelines, Examples and
Additional Resources
www.schoolnutrition.org/Content.aspx?id=8504
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Breakfast plays an important role in the
day of a child, yet over the past twenty
years there has been a steady decrease in the
number of children eating breakfast. According
to the United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA), an estimated 90 percent of children,
ages one to five, eat breakfast. But the number
severely declines as children get older with only
14 percent of high school students consistently
consuming breakfast.
There are many factors that determine whether
or not a child eats breakfast. Some include lack
of time, limited availability of ready to eat food,
not being hungry, or lack of someone to share the
meal with. No matter what the reason, omitting
breakfast can have a detrimental effect on our
child’s health. Studies show that students who
eat breakfast have higher intakes of vitamins and
the mineral calcium. They also are more likely
to consume a better variety of foods in general,
such as increased grains, fruit and milk, and
they consume less saturated fat. When it comes
to academics, the benefits of breakfast continue.
Studies show students who consume breakfast
have higher math and reading scores, improved
memory on cognition tests and are at a reduced
risk for being overweight. Children who choose
to eat breakfast in school and participate in the
School Breakfast Program (SBP) have improved
standardized test scores, better attendance,
increased classroom participation and decreased
tardiness.
The SBP was originally started as a pilot program
in 1966 to help students with a long commute
to school or help families with mothers in the
workforce. Now, all schools can participate. The
federal government assists schools by providing
USDA funds to support the cost of a SBP. Some
schools provide breakfast free of charge; others
offer a discount to assist children from low-
income homes.
Advocating for breakfast at your child’s school
will result in children receiving the nutrition
they need with a healthy meal to start the day off
right. We can not guarantee that it will help your
child get all A’s but it couldn’t hurt, so why not
give it a try. A variety of options are available to
schools to operate a SBP in cost-effective ways.
Review the breakfast resource list for contact
information.
6P.A.R.E.N.T. Process School Breakfast Program
66 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
P.A.R.E.N.T. Process
Pick a Project - School Breakfast Program Assess the Situation1. Find out if your child’s school participates in the SBP. Do all
grades have access to the program?
2. If your school does participate in the SBP,
•whattypeofbreakfastprogramisoffered?Optionsavailable
include: traditional (in the cafeteria before school), breakfast
in the classroom, Grab ‘N Go breakfast, or breakfast after 1st
period.
•learnthetypesoffoodsserved.Dothemealsmeetthe
nutrition guidelines of the USDA? Has the school included
additional nutrition guidelines? If breakfast does not meet
the USDA requirements, find out why.
•whatisthestudentparticipationrate?Iflow,whyare
students not taking advantage of the meal program? What
can be done to increase participation?
3. If your school does not participate in the SBP, contact the
school’s principal to determine the reason. Find out how
many students are eligible to qualify for free or reduced-cost
lunch and advocate that these children should have access to
breakfast each day.
Research1. Learn more about the SBP options mentioned above, including
school success stories and innovative ideas that have
increased SBP participation. Many school breakfast resource
toolkits and fact sheets are available. Review the breakfast
resources at the end of this section for additional help.
2. Contact Children’s Hunger Alliance, an Ohio nonprofit who
provides assistance to schools in their efforts to have an
effective SBP. They can help you in your efforts to talk with
your school administration and food service staff.
3. Explore healthy breakfast options that appeal to students.
Research breakfast foods that have had success in other
schools.
4. Identify breakfast advocates within the school (teacher,
principal, food director, nurse).
5. Identify obstacles that may hinder a SBP in the school.
Educate1. Share with school administrators and key stakeholders the
advantages of school breakfast and the academic research
supporting the program.
6School Breakfast Program
“If your school
does not participate
in the SBP, contact
the school’s principal
to determine the
reason.”
67www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
2. Inform the school of your concern, current situation, options,
financial assets and success stories. Let them know the
program can help bring federal dollars into the school to
assist with the financial cost of the program.
3. Ask how obstacles can be addressed so change can
take place.
Network1. Gather the support of parents, teachers, the school nurse and
concerned community members.
2. A network allows you to offer the school people who can
volunteer, research more options and promote change.
Take Action1. Petition the school district to add a SBP policy that includes
healthy meal standards to the district’s existing Wellness
Policy. A key time to promote these initiatives is while the
school is making similar changes in regard to school health.
2. Start serving breakfast and/or healthier options at your
school. Pilot a breakfast program in one school and then
expand to others.
3. Offer to have parent volunteers assist with starting the SBP
at the school. Have special days where parents come to school
and eat with their children.
4. Frequently report the progress of the program at PTA meetings.
Ideas for Success1. invite parents to eat breakfast with their children once a
month.
2. schedule special breakfast guests once a month: principal,
coach, school mascot, etc.
3. offer fresh fruit options to students daily.
4. make a Grab’N’Go school breakfast kiosk available for high
school students.
5. develop and implement PSAs over the school intercom that
promote healthy school breakfasts.
Key Points for ParentsAdvocating for the SBPSchool Breakfast Background:
• SBPisafederallyassistedmealprogramforpublicand
private nonprofit schools and residential childcare programs.
SBP has been in effect since its inception in 1966 as a pilot
project. In 1975, it became a permanent fixture.
• Accordingtoanutritionstudy,childrenwhoattendschool
6School Breakfast Program
68 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
without eating breakfast have fatigue, dizziness, low blood
sugar levels, fatigue and trouble concentrating.
• IndividualschoolsanddistrictswhoparticipateintheSBP
receive federal reimbursement for each meal served.
• Guidelinesforfamilieswithchildreneligibleforfreeor
reduced-price breakfast:
Free Breakfast - under 130% of the poverty line.
Reduced-price Breakfast - 130 to 185% of the poverty line.
• Asofthe2007-2008schoolyear,71.5%ofOhioschoolswho
offered National School Lunch also offered National School
Breakfast. This lack of good nutrition at the beginning
of the day has a negative impact on children behaviorally,
developmentally and academically.
• Only45.4%ofallOhio’slow-incomestudentsparticipatein
the National School Breakfast Program. If Ohio served 60% of
all low-income students – Ohio would receive over $18 million
in USDA reimbursement.
Types of School Breakfast ProgramsBreakfast at No Charge or Universal Breakfast Schools serve breakfast in the cafeteria to all students, regardless
of income. This approach works best in schools with a large number
of low-income students and helps to reduce the stigma of receiving
a free meal.
Breakfast in the Classroom Breakfast items are available in a central location or within each
classroom, and available to all students. Students eat in their
homeroom during attendance and announcements. This strategy
provides the benefit of having all students in their seats, ready to
begin the school day. It also significantly increases participation
in the SBP and leads to a stronger community within the school.
Grab’N’Go Breakfast Students stop into the cafeteria or other designated location to pick
up breakfast items to take to their classroom before school starts.
This approach works especially well in middle and high schools.
Midmorning Breakfast Some schools opt to take a break later in the morning. Schools
make the breakfast foods available on carts in the hallways at a
designated time. Students can pick up nutritious foods to eat
between classes. Some schools have students go to the cafeteria to
pick up breakfast items to take to their classroom. This approach
is also very good at building a stronger community and greatly
increases student participation.
6School Breakfast Program
69www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Types of School Breakfast adapted from Children’s Hunger
Alliance. School Breakfast Programs.
www.ChildrensHungerAlliance.org/SSN/breakfast.php
Contact for Assistance Charlie Kozlesky
Children’s Hunger Alliance
1.800.227.6446, ext. 221
CKozlesky@ChildrensHungerAlliance.org
ResourcesChildren’s Hunger Alliance
Local Ohio Contact and Information Source for Starting and/or
Expanding a SBP
www.ChildrensHungerAlliance.org/SSN/breakfast.php
Breakfast First - Healthy Food for Hungry Minds
SBP Information, Parent Advocacy and Research
www.breakfastfirst.org
Action for Healthy Kids
Improving and Expanding School Meal Programs
www.ActionforHealthyKids.org/resources_topic.php?topic=20
FRAC - SBP
SBP Information, Facts and Figures
www.frac.org/html/federal_food_programs/programs/sbp.html
USDA - The SBP: Fact Sheet
www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/breakfast/AboutBFast/SBPFactSheet.pdf
Changing the Scene
Improving School Breakfast: SBP Resources, Guides and
Research
www.fns.usda.gov/tn/Resources/changing.html
American Dairy Association Mideast
SBP Resources, Programs and Expansion
www.drink-milk.com
6School Breakfast Program
70 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Schools play a powerful role in influencing
students’ food choices. Many schools offer
less nutritious foods and beverages to help meet
tight operating budgets and/or increase revenue
for school-sponsored programs and events.
Although this source of revenue financially
benefits schools, it sends a mixed message to
students. Your parent group can help your school
create a healthy nutrition environment by offering
snack food and beverage choices that benefit
students nutritionally and continue to provide a
source of revenue for schools. Current research
indicates that schools may take a temporary dip
in profits when healthy snacks and beverages are
implemented, but they frequently recover shortly
afterward.
There are several ways schools can provide a
healthy nutrition environment that supports
their students’ learning achievement and lifelong
good health. This section includes suggestions
to help your parent group provide non-food
rewards and healthy snack foods and beverages
in vending, a la carte, school stores, fundraisers,
and classroom celebrations.
Healthy Snacks in SchoolsHealthy snacking is an important part of a well
balanced diet. Your parent group can implement
healthy snack, vending and a la carte guidelines
that promote nutrient rich snacks. Nutrient rich
snacks provide more nutrients for the fewest
calories and can provide an extra boost of
energy for children. The Snackwise Nutrition
Rating System, a website application that rates
snacks according to their nutrient profile, can
help schools identify healthier snack choices and
provides resources for nutrition education and
marketing.
Healthy Fundraising TechniquesParents can help move schools toward healthier
foods and beverages or non-food fundraising
events. Healthy fundraisers that support positive
health messages at school support healthy eating,
nutrition education, and parents’ efforts to feed
their children healthfully.
Non-Food Rewards and School CelebrationsUnhealthy food rewards and school parties
centered around food can send mixed messages
when healthy eating habits are taught in the
classroom but not modeled in the school nutrition
environment. Your parent group can advocate
for healthy school celebrations and non-food
rewards. If food is used as a reward or at school
parties choose foods that are nutrient rich, fun
and appealing to children.
6P.A.R.E.N.T. Process Creating a Healthy School Nutrition Environment
71www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
P.A.R.E.N.T. Process - Healthy Snacks in Schools
Pick a Project - Snacking, Vending, School Stores and A La Carte
Assess the Situation1. Find out where vending is located at your school. Check the
a la carte and school store items that are for sale. What do
students have access to in the school’s vending, school store
or a la carte lines? What do teachers (as positive role models)
have access to in the school’s vending machines?
2. Research whether the school has a vending contract and the
agreement details (company, products sold/available, vending
hours, school marketing, sales revenue). You may have to work
with the finance officer at the school for this information.
3. Decide if healthier snacks are needed. Most vendors sell
healthy options.
Research1. Look into healthier snack alternatives and success stories.
Use the resources listed below to get started.
2. Identify advocates within the school (teacher, principal, food
director, nurse).
Educate 1. Inform the school of your concern, current situation, healthier
alternatives, financial possibilities and success stories.
2. Ask about obstacles that may need to be addressed before
change can take place.
3. Provide an article about nutrient-rich snack food ideas to be
placed in your school newsletter.
4. Provide healthy snack ideas at parent night.
Network1. Gather the support of parents, concerned citizens, teachers
and nurses.
2. A network allows you to offer the school people who can
volunteer, research more options and promote change.
Take Action1. Ask the school/district to add a healthy snack policy to the
existing School Wellness Policy. A key time to promote these
initiatives is while the school is making similar changes in
regard to school health.
6Creating a Healthy School Nutrition Environment
72 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
2. Implement changes the school and parents have agreed
upon. (Example: Implement programs such as Snackwise®
that evaluate the nutritional quality using a nutrient rich
approach. Snackwise® uses an easy to identify color code
system to identify healthier snacks and provides resources to
market and educate students about healthier snack choices).
Ideas for Success1. Teach students what healthy snacks are. Provide taste-testing
events to let them taste new, healthier options.
2. If you have a school store, encourage the sponsor and club to
offer healthy choices.
3. Have a healthy snack awareness week or day.
ResourcesMaking It Happen! School Nutrition Success Stories
www.fns.usda.gov/tn/Resources/makingithappen.html
Snackwise® Nutrition Rating System
A Nutrient-Rich approach to snack selection
www.snackwise.org
Ohio Action for Healthy Kids
Goal 2 Toolkit: Ensuring Healthy Snack Foods and Beverages are
Provided in Ohio Schools
www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org/state_team/documents/
goal2_toolkit_downsampled_002.pdf
Action for Healthy Kids
Healthy Vending Machines: Recommended Beverages,
Recommended Foods and “How to” Policy Guide
www.ActionforHealthyKids.org/filelib/toolsforteams/recom/
Healthy%20Vending.pdf
Banning Sodas in Your School - A Short Organizing Guide
http://departments.oxy.edu/uepi/cfj/publications/Banning_Soda_%20
in_Your_School.pdf
Coalition on Children and Weight San Diego
Beverage, Food and Snack Bar Ideas that Might Work
for School Vending
www.ccwsd.org/resourcesfundraising.htm
Action for Healthy Kids of Alabama
Guide to Healthy Vending Machines
www.ActionforHealthyKids.org/filelib/toolsforteams/recom/
Healthy%20Vending.pdf
6Creating a Healthy School Nutrition Environment
73www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Vending Machines, North Carolina Division of Public Health, NC
Department of Public Instruction, NC Cooperative Extension, and
NC Action for Healthy Kids.
www.eatsmartmovemorenc.com/programs_tools/school/docs/
food_standards/vending.pdf6Creating a Healthy School Nutrition Environment
74 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
P.A.R.E.N.T. Process - Healthy Fundraising Techniques
Pick a Project - Healthy Fundraising Techniques
Assess the Situation1. Find out the types of fundraising commonly used in your
child’s school. Focus on the nutrition value of food and drinks
sold.
2. What groups in your community are involved with
fundraisers? Who organizes these events and how can you
work to educate them on this topic?
3. Decide whether a healthy fundraising initiative is needed in
your child’s school.
Research1. Look into healthy fundraising options, effectiveness and
success stories. Use the resources listed below to get started.
2. Assemble a list of healthy and/or non-food fundraising
activities. (A starter list is already provided below).
3. Investigate and identify advocates within the school (teacher,
principal, nurse and other parents).
Educate 1. This topic will involve working with athletic boosters, band
boosters and many other school and community associations
that involve parent and student groups.
2. Inform the school administration of your concern, current
situation, possible alternatives and success stories (refer to
the “How to Work with Schools” section).
3. Distribute a copy of your healthy and/or non-food fundraising
activities.
4. Ask about obstacles that may need to be addressed before
change can take place.
Network1. Connect to and gather the support of parents who are willing
to help with healthy fundraisers.
2. Hold a meeting or ask for an appointment with the many
associations involved with fundraising to discuss possible
alternatives and to offer the support of your parent group.
3. Reach out to groups in your community/city/state that are
working to improve student nutrition and wellness, and invite
them to talk to your PTA about ways to get involved.
6Creating a Healthy School Nutrition Environment
75www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
4. A parent network allows you to offer the school organizations
people who can volunteer, research more options and
promote change.
Take Action1. Petition the school and administration to add a healthy and/or
non-food fundraising policy to the school’s/district’s existing
Wellness Policy. A key time to promote these initiatives is
while the school is making similar changes in other areas
related to school health.
2. Promote your list of healthy and/or non-food fundraising
activities to groups that fundraise in your child’s school or
district.
3. Don’t forget to measure and evaluate the successes you
encounter with healthy fundraising.
Resources Making It Happen! School Nutrition Success Stories
www.fns.usda.gov/tn/Resources/makingithappen.html
Action for Healthy Kids
Fundraising Ideas and Resources
www.ActionforHealthyKids.org/resources_topic.php?topic=13
Richland County School District One
Fundraising Ideas and More
www.richlandone.org/departments/student_nutrition/
fundraising_ideas.htm
Connecticut State Department of Education Fundraising Facts,
Resources, and Ideas
www.sde.ct.gov/sde/lib/sde/PDF/DEPS/Student/NutritionEd/
Healthy_Fundraising_Color.PDF
Louisiana Action for Healthy Kids and Team Nutrition
Fundraising Ideas and More
www.doe.state.la.us/lde/nutritioned/1861.html
California Lean: Fundraising Ideas and More
www.californiaprojectlean.org
Cooking with MyPyramid Fundraising Program
www.cookingwithmypyramid.com/CWM%20Fundraiser.htm
Healthy Fundraising
www.healthy-fundraising.org/
6Creating a Healthy School Nutrition Environment
76 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Healthy Fundraising, Connecticut State Department of Education,
Bureau of Health and Nutrition Services and Child/Family/School
Partnerships, February 2005
Creative School Fundraising Ideas, California Project LEAN
www.californiaprojectlean.org/Assets/1019/files/Creative%20
School%20Fund-raising%20Ideas_Healthy%20Food%20
Policy%20Resource%20Guide.pdf
There are many organizations (like the American Heart
Association) who sponsor physical activity fundraisers that the
schools can work with to help host a fundraiser.
6Creating a Healthy School Nutrition Environment
77www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
P.A.R.E.N.T. Process - Non-Food Rewards and School Celebrations
Pick a Project - Non-Food Rewards and School Celebrations
Assess the Situation1. Find out the various types of rewards frequently offered
in your child’s school. In which situations do parents and
teachers provide rewards for students? Collect information on
school celebrations. Do rewards and/or celebrations involve
food? What types of food?
2. Decide whether the rewards and celebrations promote health,
and/or reinforce lessons on good nutrition and a healthy
lifestyle.
3. Choose an area where parents and teachers can make positive
changes in the rewards given to students.
Research1. Investigate alternatives to offering food as a reward and food-
centered parties. Find success stories. Use the resources listed
below to get started.
2. Compile a list of non-food rewards and healthy celebrations.
(A starter list is already provided in the following pages).
3. Would the parents and teachers be willing to combine student
birthday parties into a once-a-month event that incorporates
physical activity as well as healthy snacks?
Educate 1. Inform the school administration of your concern, the current
situation, possible alternatives and success stories. Can the
food service department offer to make healthy party trays for
classroom celebrations?
2. Discuss this topic at the PTA meeting. Can parents alter the
items they bring into the classroom? Would parents be willing
to donate non-food items for the teacher’s “treasure box?”
This could serve as a reward system for good behavior and
accomplishments.
3. Ask about obstacles that may need to be addressed before
change can take place.
4. Explain how this topic can be incorporated into the School
Wellness Policy.
6Creating a Healthy School Nutrition Environment
78 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Network1. Gather the support of teachers, parents, food service staff and
concerned citizens.
2. A network allows you to offer the school people who can
volunteer, research more options and promote change.
Take Action 1. Ask the school/administration to add a non-food rewards and
healthy celebrations policy to the school’s/district’s existing
Wellness Policy. A key time to promote these initiatives is
while the school is making similar changes in regard to
school health.
2. Distribute lists of non-food rewards and healthy celebration
ideas to teachers and parents, including age-appropriate
activities and games. This allows for a healthy party
atmosphere and encourages parents to be mindful of good
nutrition.
3. Help raise funds to support healthier rewards and parties.
4. Remind parents to consider ethnic and medical food
restrictions and allergies when providing classroom snacks.
Ideas for Success1. Ask the school cafeteria to make fresh fruit trays for
classroom celebrations.
2. Provide parents with a healthy recipe book from which to
make birthday treats.
3. Encourage teachers to reward students with physical activity
breaks, or trips to the treasure box when school work is
accomplished (rather than offer candy).
4. Keep parties simple: children tend to be excited and active on
party days – it helps to keep snacks and games organized and
non-competitive (especially in the younger grades).
ResourcesThe following list of resources provides more information on
organizations that are working towards improving nutrition and
physical activity/education in schools.
Making It Happen! “School Nutrition Success Stories”
www.fns.usda.gov/tn/Resources/makingithappen.html
Action for Healthy Kids
Alternative Rewards and More
www.ActionforHealthyKids.org/resources_topic.php?topic=68&
audience=&material=&age=&partner=&state=&x=17&y=6
6Creating a Healthy School Nutrition Environment
79www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Michigan Team Nutrition - Alternative Rewards and More
www.tn.fcs.msue.msu.edu/resources.html
Connecticut Team Nutrition
Alternative Rewards and Celebrations: Tips and Facts
www.sde.ct.gov/sde/lib/sde/PDF/DEPS/Student/NutritionEd/
Food_As_Reward_HO1.pdf
Center for Science in the Public Interest
Alternative Rewards and Celebrations: Tips and Facts
www.cspinet.org/nutritionpolicy/constructive_rewards.pdf
www.cspinet.org/nutritionpolicy/policy_options_
healthycelebrations.html
Coalition on Children and Weight San Diego
Alternative Rewards and Celebrations: Tips and Facts
www.ccwsd.org/resourcesfundraising.htm
National Dairy Council - Tools for Schools
www.nationaldairycouncil.org/nationaldairycouncil/tools
Team Nutrition
http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/healthy-schools.html
My Pyramid for Kids
www.mypyramid.gov/kids/index.html
CDC Healthy Youth
www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/nutrition/index.htm
6Creating a Healthy School Nutrition Environment
80 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Schools play a powerful role in influencing
students’ food choices. There are several
ways schools can ensure students’ eating
habits contribute to their learning achievement
and lifelong good health. Eat Smart North
Carolina’s “Recommended Standards for All
Foods Available in School” encourages the
development of policies to support healthful
choices for a la carte, vending, afterschool
programs, and school events such as classroom
celebrations, class snacks, meetings, parties,
concessions, intramural events, fundraisers and
extracurricular events. Depending on the topic,
it may be appropriate for the policy to be made at
the district, school or classroom level.
Sample Policies for Rewards and IncentivesSample District Policy for Rewards and Incentives:It is the intent of ABC School System to use
rewards and incentives that do not undermine
the health of students and/or reinforce unhealthy
eating habits. Non-food rewards and incentives
will be used as the first choice to encourage
positive behavior. If food is used for a reward,
healthy choices with appropriate portion sizes
are required.
6P.A.R.E.N.T. Process Healthy School Celebrations and Healthy Rewards and Incentives
81www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Sample School Policy for Rewards and Incentives:It is the intent of Good Learning Elementary School to eliminate the
practice of using foods that promote unhealthful eating habits as
classroom rewards. Teachers will use pencils, erasers and stickers
as rewards for students.
Sample Classroom Policy for Rewards and Incentives:It is the intent of Mrs. Parsley, first grade teacher, not to reward
her students for positive behavior with food. Mrs. Parsley will
use a system of verbal praise, certificates and ribbons to reward
her students. This includes a “treasure box” full of non-food,
inexpensive items to be used for positive reinforcement.
Sample District Policy for School Celebrations:It is the intent of ABC School System that school celebrations are
limited to no more that four times per year for grades K-5 or two
times per year for grades 6-8. When possible, it is recommended
that celebrations feature activities other than eating. If food is
involved, it should include healthy choices.
Sample School Policy for School Celebrations:It is the intent of Good Learning Elementary School that
celebrations be limited to one per nine-week quarter per classroom.
The celebrations should take place during the last hour of the
school day so it will not interfere with school meals. Teachers are
encouraged to choose non-food ways to celebrate for two out of the
four celebrations. If food is involved in the celebrations, parents
can consult the student handbook for possible snack choices.
Sample Classroom Policy for School Celebrations:It is the intent of Mrs. Parsley to set the dates for classroom
celebrations within the first month of school. Parents are
encouraged to assist with the celebrations by volunteering to
prepare healthy snacks when requested. A list of dates and options
will be sent home with students. Parents can consult the student
handbook for possible snack choices.
6Sample Policies for Rewards and Incentives
82 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Alternatives to Food as a Reward
Rewards for All Ages• listentomusicwhiledoingschoolwork
• chatattheendofclass
• moviedayorclassperiod
• gamesorgametime
• homeworkcoupon
• giftcertificatetolocalnon-foodmerchants
• freepasstosportingeventorplay
• walkbreakfromclass
• sittingwithfriends
• groupactivities
• paperbackbooks
• magazinesubscription
• pedometers
• recognitionovermorningannouncementsorinclass
• smallphysicalactivityequipment
• eatlunchoutside,haveclassoutside
• readoutside
• teachtheclass
Elementary Students• takingthingstotheoffice
• takingcareoftheclasspet
• prizesfromatreasurebox
• penciltoppers
• stickers
• pencils
• starsorsmileyfaces
• extrarecess
• leadingtheclasstolunch,recess,library,etc.
• walkwiththeprincipal,teacher,orschoolnurse
• physicalactivitybreak
• schoolsupplies
• temporarytattoos
• show-and-tell
• picnicinside
• banksystem-earnplaymoneyforprivileges
• teacherorvolunteerreadstoclass
• teacherperformsspecialskill(singing,cart-wheel,playsthe
guitar)
• extraarttime
• “freechoice”attheendofthedayorclassperiod
• teacher’sassistantfortheday
6Alternatives to Food as a Reward
83www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
• eatlunchwithateacherorprincipal
• receivea“mysterypack”(notebook,pencils,sportscards,etc.)
Middle School Students• takingthingstotheoffice
• musicconcertatschool
• pencils
• t-shirt/hat/etc.
• couponstovideostore,musicstoreormovietheater
•daypasstoalocalgym
• extracredit
• funbrainteasers
• beahelperinanotherclass
• receivea“mysterypack”(notebook,pencils,sportscards,etc.)
High School Students• musicconcertatschool
• t-shirt/hat/etc.
• primeparkingspot
• extracredit
• couponstovideostore,musicstoreormovietheater
•daypasstoalocalgym
• raffleticketstoenteradrawingfordonatedprizes
Adapted from:Alternatives to Food as Reward, Connecticut State Department
of Education, Bureau of Health and Nutrition Services and Child/
Family/School Partnerships, September 2004:
Rewards and Incentives, NC Division of Public Health, NC
Department of Public Instruction, NC Cooperative Extension, and
NC Action for Healthy Kids.
Alternatives To Using Food As A Reward, Michigan State
University Extension.
www.tn.fcs.msue.msu.edu/foodrewards.pdf
6Alternatives to Food as a Reward
84 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Healthy School Parties
Non-Food Party Ideas• Studentschoosepartygamesandactivities.Parentscanbring
in pencils, erasers, tattoos and other small non-food treats.
• Incorporatenutritionaleducationintofunactivities-color
in the food pyramid, and/or match the appropriate food at
the bottom of the pyramid to the appropriate bar on the food
pyramid.
• Aspecialclassartprojectorcraft.Studentscanpicktheir
own art project (painting drawing, coloring, play-doh) and
have a particular craft to make. Possibly have a local artist
come in and speak with the kids or do a demonstration. Ask
parents and/or businesses to donate small watercolor sets
with paint brushes.
• Haveadanceparty.Letstudentsselectthemusicandlocate
a space and time your class can have a small dance party. Use
a dance party as a larger school incentive and through a free
school dance as a reward (sponsored by local businesses).
• Incorporateascavengerhuntintophysicalactivity,instructing
the children to do a series of physical movements in order to
get to the next clue. At the end, everyone receives a prize.
• Letstudentsplayoutsideorhaveafieldday.
• Createaspecialbirthdaypackage.Birthdaychildgetsasash
or crown to wear during class, a special seat, chooses a short
class activity or game, first in line to lunch or recess, teacher’s
assistant for the day, a visit to the principal’s office to receive
a small birthday surprise (pencil, school folder, birthday card)
and so on.
• Haveaclassmovieparty.Studentsselectamovietowatchora
watch a new film pertaining to the class subject.
• Havestudentshelpcomeupwithnon-foodpartyideas.Students
can create a “healthy classroom party guide” to distribute to
parents that can be used throughout the school year.
Healthy Party Foods• Fruitsmoothies(justenjoydelicioussmoothiesorthrowina
beach ball, hula skirts, and volleyball and have a beach party)
• Freshfruitandcheesekabobswithlow-fatwhippedtopping
• Driedfruit(bananachips,applechips,etc.)
• 100%Fruitsnacks
• Vegetabletrayswithlow-fatdiporpeanutbutter
• Wholegraincrackerswithcheesecubesorhummus
• Stringcheese
• Wafflesorpancakestoppedwithfruits
6Healthy School Parties
“Have students help
come up with non-
food party ideas.”
85www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
• Wholegrainpretzels
• Low-fatpopcorn
• Ricecakes
• Grahamoranimalcrackers
• Angelfoodcaketoppedwithfreshfruit
• Bagelslicesorwholewheatenglishmuffinswithpeanut
butter or 100% fruit jam
• Fruitorwholegrainmuffins
• Wholewheathotpretzels
• Pizzawithlow-fattopping(vegetables,leanham,Canadian
bacon)
• Smallham/turkeyandcheesesandwichesorwraps
• Low-fatpuddingoryogurt(squeezableyogurtorparfaitstyle
with granola, cereal, or crushed graham cracker topping)
• Quesadillasorbeanburritoswithsalsa
• Low-fatbreakfastandgranolabars
• Tortillachipswithbeandiporsalsa
• Trail/cerealmix(wholegrain,low-sugarcerealsmixwith
dried fruit, pretzels, etc.)
• Nutsandseeds
• Applesandcarameldip
• Minipretzelsticksinsertedintocheesecubes
• Fondueparty:individualsmallcupsofyogurtwithaselection
of cubed pineapple, strawberries, apple slices, vanilla wafers
and graham crackers for dipping
• Providealargetrayofjell-o.Studentsthenusecookiecutters
to cut out various shapes. Decorate with low-fat, non-dairy
topping, raisins, nuts, marshmallows, healthy cereal.
Adapted from:Healthy Celebrations, Connecticut State Department of Education,
Bureau of Health and Nutrition Services and Child/Family/School
Partnerships, May 2005
School Celebrations, North Carolina (NC) Division of Public
Health, NC Department of Public Instruction, NC Cooperative
Extension, and NC Action for Healthy Kids.
www.eatsmartmovemorenc.com/programs_tools/school/docs/
food_standards/school_celebrations.pdf
6Healthy School Parties
86 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Over the past 20 years, the prevalence of
obesity in children and teens age 6-19 has
tripled. The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) estimates one third of children
born in 2000 will develop diabetes unless serious
changes are made in nutrition choices and
exercise. And, by 2050 an estimated 48 million
United States residents are expected to be
diagnosed with diabetes. Despite these figures,
physical activity (PA) and physical education (PE)
in schools continues to decline due to numerous
financial and academic demands upon schools.
In the United States, only 32 percent of children
participate in PE daily and many schools have
eliminated or reduced recess time.
Advocating for an increase in PA or PE in
your child’s school can have a big impact. The
recommendations for PE from the National
6P.A.R.E.N.T. Process Physical Activity and Physical Education
Association of Sports and Physical Education
(NASPE) suggest students get 150 minutes of
instruction per week for grades K-5. Ohio school
districts reported in 2006-07 an average of
66.83 minutes of instruction per week. Outside
of school, the CDC recommends 60 minutes of PA
each day for children and teens, yet less than 25
percent of children participate in 30 minutes of
PA and nearly half of young people 12-21 years
of age are not vigorously active. School based
interventions are promising for youth and may
prevent sedentary behavior among adults by
maintaining the habit of PA throughout the
school years. With evidence that success in this
area is possible, every effort should be made to
encourage schools to require daily PE in each
grade and to promote PA that can be enjoyed
throughout life.
87www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
P.A.R.E.N.T. PROCESS
Pick a Project - Physical Activity (PA) and/or Physical Education (PE)
Assess the Situation1. Find out if PE is offered daily. Does PE meet the recommended
amount of time (150 minutes of PE for elementary students a
week and 225 minutes per week for middle and high school
students)?
2. Find out what types of PA your child’s school offers. Is there a
walking program, activity clubs or other opportunities for PA?
3. Do elementary schools schedule adequate time for daily recess?
4. Is there time for PA breaks incorporated into academic
subjects?
5. Decide whether increased PA or PE is needed.
Research1. Look into the importance of PE and PA in school and the
relationship between PA and academic achievement.
2. Look into evidenced based PE and PA program options.
Many prepackaged programs are available for schools that
can assist in implementing developmentally appropriate
programs.
3. Use the resources below for additional help.
4. Identify advocates within the school (PE teachers, coaches,
principal, nurse, intramural organizers, afterschool program
directors).
Educate1. Share the research you have found and ideas for school
success.
2. Inform the school of your concern, current situation, and
options for improvement, success stories and possible costs.
3. Ask about obstacles that may need to be addressed before
change can take place.
4. Use position statements to help support your cause. They
are very helpful to review and use as support for your cause.
NASPE provides Position Statements on quality physical
education, recess, afterschool physical activity programs and
youth sports.
Network1. Gather the support of parents, committed school staff and
concerned citizens.
6Physical Activity and Physical Education
88 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
2. A network will allow you to offer the school volunteers, raise
funds for new PA and PE equipment, research more PA and PE
options and/or promote further change.
Take Action1. Petition the school/administration to add PA, PE and/or recess
requirements to the school’s existing Wellness Policy.
2. Implement changes the school and parents have agreed upon
such as increased PE and/or recess time, short PA classroom
breaks, additional developmentally appropriate programs and
structured activities.
Ideas for Success1. Many PE instructors indicate their number one need is
equipment. PTA funds could be used to purchase balls,
pedometers, afterschool program kits and other materials to
promote PA.
2. PA in the classroom can be combined with academic subjects.
3. Form a “Walking School Bus” and gather volunteers to walk
groups of students to school on a rotating basis. Refer to the
P.A.R.E.N.T. Process section on creating a Walking School Bus.
ResourcesAction for Healthy Kids
Numerous Ideas, Resources and Facts on PA.
www.ActionforHealthyKids.org/resources_topic.php?topic=19
Action for Healthy Kids
ReCharge! Energizing After-School Kit
www.ActionforHealthyKids.org/special_after.php
Action for Healthy Kids’ Fact Sheet
Building the Argument: The Need for Physical Education and
Physical Activity in Our Schools
www.ActionforHealthyKids.org
Michigan Team Nutrition
Physical Activity Information and Links for Parents, Teachers
and Children
www.tn.fcs.msue.msu.edu
Take 10: Getting Kids Active 10 Minutes at a Time - Classroom
Based Physical Activity and Curriculum Tool
www.take10.net
6Physical Activity and Physical Education
89www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation
and Dance
www.aahperd.org
Colorado Governor’s Council for Physical Fitness
www.shapeupchallenge.org
PE Links 4 U
Physical Education Resources and Links for K-12th Grades
www.pelinks4u.org
Rescuing Recess
Advocacy Information for Parents, Teachers and Kids
www.rescuingrecess.com
OPI Recess Before Lunch Policy: Kids Play and Then Eat
www.opi.state.mt.us/schoolfood/recessBL.html
KidsWalk-to-School
CDC’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Program Information
and Resources on Increasing Awareness of Walking Programs,
Encouraging Students to Participate, Walking School Buses, Pre-
Packaged PowerPoints and More
www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/kidswalk/
Walking School Bus
“How to” Guides, Basic Information, Evaluations, Workability
Checklist, Program Examples and Pedestrian Safety
www.walkingschoolbus.org
ReferencesNHANES data on the Prevalence of Overweight Among Children and Adolescents: United States, 2003–2004. CDC National Center for Health Statistics, Health E-Stat. www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/pubs/pubd/hestats/overweight
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; “Preventing Diabetes and It’s Complications”, www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/publications/factsheets/prevention/diabetes/htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; “Preventing Diabetes and It’s Complications”, www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/publications/factsheets/prevention/diabetes/htm
National PTA and Parents’ Action for Children, Healthy Lifestyles at Home and School. Fact Sheet: The Need for Physical Education and Physical Activity in Our Schools.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; “Physical Activity and Health” www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/sgr/summ.htm
PE survey information (Physical Education Survey Report to the Ohio General Assembly) can be accessed at: http://education.ohio.gov/GD/Templates/Pages/ODE/ODEDetail.aspx?page=3&TopicRelationID=1793&ContentID=44006&Content=60259
6Physical Activity and Physical Education
90 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Program Name Grade/Age Goal(s) Contact InformationAnimal Trackers Pre-K, 3-5
years
increase amount of •structured physical
activity (PA) in
preschool children
Healthy-Start, LLC
P.O. Box 115
Huntington, NY 11743
1.613.549.0010
www.healthy-start.com
The SPARK
Programs (Sports,
Play, and Active
Recreation for Kids)
After School (AS) -
Active Recreation
Pre-K - 8th doubled student •PA during physical
education (PE) classes
improved sports and •activity skills
improved cardiorespiratory •fitness and muscular
endurance in girls
improved academic •achievement
Paul Rosengard, PhD
Executive Director
The SPARK Programs
438 Camino Del Rio South
Suite 110
San Diego, CA 92108
1.800.SPARKPE, ext. 208
(1.800.772.7573, ext. 208)
www.sparkpe.org
TAKE 10! K - 5th reduce sedentary time •during the day
add structured 10 •minute bouts of PA to
classroom
Shannon Williams
Program Manager
Physical Activity & Nutrition
(PAN)
ILSI Center for Health
Promotion
2295 Parklake Drive, Suite 450
Atlanta, GA 30345
1.770.934.1010
www.take10.net
CATCH (Coordinated
Approach To Child
Health)
K - 5th increase the amount •of PE class time that
students spend in
moderate to vigorous PA
to 40%
FlagHouse
601 FlagHouse Drive
Hasbrouck Heights, NJ
07604-3116
1.800.793.7900
www.catchtexas.org
6Physical Activity Curricula and Programs
91www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Program Name Grade/Age Goal(s) Contact InformationEat Well & Keep
Moving
Upper
elementary
(4th and 5th
grades)
increase fruit and •vegetable intake
decrease total and •saturated fat
increase moderate to •vigorous PA
decrease T.V. viewing•
Human Kinetics Publishers,
Inc.
P.O. Box 5076
Champaign, IL 61825-5076
1.800.747.4457
www.humankinetics.com
Planet Health Adolescent
(6th and 7th
grades)
decrease T.V. viewing•increase fruit and •vegetable intake
decrease fat intake•increase PA•
Healthy Hearts 5th and 6th
grades
significant increases •in overall PA, nutrition,
and tobacco use
knowledge
Eloise Elliot
Executive Director - Healthy
Hearts; Professor of Physical
Education - Concord College
Athens, WV 24712
1.304.384.5345
www.healthyhearts4kids.org
Generation Fit Students ages
11 - 18
students take part in •community service
projects that promote
more PA and healthier
eating among their
friends and families,
and in their schools and
communities
American Cancer Society
1.800.ACS.2345
(1.800.227.2345)
www.cancer.org
6Physical Activity Curricula and Programs
92 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Program Name Grade/Age Goal(s) Contact InformationTeam Nutrition Pre-K - 12th motivate children in •
grades pre-K through 12
to make healthy eating
choices
USDA Team Nutrition
3101 Park Center Drive, Room 632
Alexandria, VA 22302
1.703.305.1624
www.fns.usda.gov/tn/
Kids Walk to School
Day
Elementary
and Middle
School
students
children walk and bike •to/from school
KidsWalk-to-School
Centers for Disease Control &
Prevention
4770 Buford Hwy, NE, MS/K-46
Atlanta, GA 30341
www.cdc.gov
Bright Futures Children,
Adolescents,
and Families
focus areas:•oral health
nutrition
mental health
physical activity
Bright Futures Project
Georgetown University
Box 571272
Washington D.C. 20057-1272
1.202.784.9556
www.brightfutures.org
Smart Stepping Elementary
through
College
a program incorporating •movement, walking,
math, health and
physical education,
active living and
learning
Rober Sweetgall
Creative Walking, Inc.
P.O. Box 4190
McCall, ID 83638
1.888.421.9255 (toll free)
www.creativewalking.com
Mind & Body
Activities for
the Elementary
Classroom June 2003
Elementary reduce sedentary time •during the school day
add structured 10 •minute bouts of activity
to classroom
Montana Office of Public
Instruction Health
Enhancement Division
P.O. Box 202501
Helena, MT 59620-2501
1.406.444.3178
Email: scourt@mt.gov
6Physical Activity Curricula and Programs
93www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) recommend 60 minutes of physical
activity (PA) each day for children and teens, yet
less than 25 percent of children participate in 30
minutes of PA and nearly half of young people
12-21 years of age are not vigorously active.
School based interventions such as walking
programs are promising for youth because they
help to maintain the habit of PA throughout the
school years.
Walking programs are simple; they provide
structured times that are set aside for children
6P.A.R.E.N.T. Process Walking Programs
to walk. The time could be before or after school,
during recess or PE class. Many prefabricated
walking programs already exist for teachers,
parents and schools who want to assist children
in becoming more active and promote the
development of healthy lifestyles among students.
Walking programs can be used to rally students
together to achieve a common goal. Examples
include programs sponsored by the American
Cancer Society and American Heart Association.
94 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
P.A.R.E.N.T. Process
Pick a Project - Walking Programs
Assess the Situation1. Find out if your child’s school participates in walking programs.
2. Observe recess. Is it an active environment? Are all the
children participating?
3. Is there an opportunity before or after school to initiate a
walking program?
4. Decide if a walking program initiative is needed.
Research1. Investigate types of walking programs, such as America on
the Move, Walk with the Principal, 100-mile Club, Travel the
Globe or Mile-Walk Challenge.
2. Investigate school success stories listed on the Ohio Action for
Healthy Kids web page, www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org.
Click on the Success Story menu item.
3. Explore materials needed for program/s you might pursue.
Estimate the cost involved.
4. Investigate and identify advocates within the school (PE
teachers, principal, nurse, coach).
Educate1. Share the information you have gathered.
2. Inform the school of your concern, current situation, program
options, cost, advocates and success stories.
3. Present information at the next PTA meeting on the
importance of students being active during the school day.
4. Ask about obstacles that will need to be addressed before
change can take place.
Network
1. Gather the support of parents, school staff and concerned
community members.
2. A network will allow you to offer the school volunteers to
help with the walking program, raise funds and/or promote
further change.
Take Action1. Implement the program/s of choice.
2. Organize volunteers to plot out a safe walking path and
supervise students.
3. Start walking!
6W
alking Programs
“Is there an
opportunity before
or after school to
initiate a walking
program?”
95www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Ideas for Success1. School principals walk with elementary students for 10
minutes each morning.
2. Reward students with a walk with the principal. Once a week
the principal and selected students walk 15 minutes or a mile
around the school.
3. Teachers walk with students around the track each day
during recess.
4. Children wear pedometers during the school day and track
their distance over the course of a semester.
ResourcesKidsWalk-to-School
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Program information and resources on increasing awareness of
walking programs, encouraging students’ participation, Walking
School Buses, pre-packaged PowerPoints and more…
www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/kidswalk/resources.htm
Walk to School: “How To” information, walking program ideas,
walkability checklist, and more…
www.walktoschool.org
Creative Walking
School Walking Program Ideas and Kits (Material Fee)
www.creativewalking.com/school-fm.html
America on the Move
Information on healthy eating and active living for families and
communities
www.AmericaOnTheMove.org
Ideas from KidsWalk-to-School1. Walking Wednesdays – Designate the first Wednesday of the
month, or every Wednesday as Walk to School Wednesday.
2. Class-By-Class Walking Competitions – Reward the class that
has the greatest percentage of students walking to school at
least three days a week, and the one that collectively walks the
greatest distance.
3. Walk to School Opportunities – Not all children live close
enough to walk, so provide recess or PE time for walking so
that all classes have an equal opportunity.
4. Park and Walk – Designate areas ¼ to ½ mile from school
where parents can drop off children and they can safely walk
the remaining distance to school. This assures that even
children who must be driven to school get to take part in the
fun and enjoy the benefits.
6W
alking Programs
96 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
5. Travel the Globe – Keep track of your class’s or school’s
accumulated walking distance and set a goal to walk to a
specific destinations such as the Great Wall of China or New
York City. Study your destination and plan a party based on
the local culture for when you “arrive.”
ReferenceCenters for Disease Control and Prevention; “Physical Activity and Health” www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/sgr/summ.htm
6W
alking Programs
97www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
6P.A.R.E.N.T. Process Walking School BusTen percent of children walk to school in the
U.S. Only 25% of children living within a
mile of school walk there on a regular basis. A
Walking School Bus can be a great and safe way
to get children to and from school. It can improve
the physical activity levels of students who live
within a mile of the school, and it is an excellent
approach to help combat the increasing obesity
rates of Ohio’s school children. Also, as you will
see, it can be an excellent fitness program for the
adults in the community, too.
A Walking School Bus is similar to the concept
of a regular school bus except the children’s feet
take the place of the engine and wheels. Children
are ‘picked up’ and ‘dropped off’ daily from a
designated ‘bus stop,’ just like a regular school
bus. Trained adult volunteers act as ‘bus drivers’
and supervise the children as they walk quickly
and safely to and from school.
98 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
P.A.R.E.N.T Process
Pick a Project - Walking School Bus
Assess the Situation1. Find out approximately how many students walk to school.
Check the resource list below for surveys and guides to get
you started.
2. Investigate whether the sidewalks around the school allow for
safe walking and biking to school. The KidsWalk-to-School
website has a walkability checklist available.
3. Notice areas of traffic congestion around the school before
and after classes.
Research1. Investigate the Walking School Bus concept, procedures and
school success stories. Check the resource list below for help.
Educate1. Work with the school and administration and inform them of
your interest, current situation and success stories.
2. Share the program ideas at PTA meetings.
3. Begin to plan safe walking and biking routes to school.
Request help from the school’s transportation coordinator,
local government and/or police department.
4. Develop a list of rules, policies, procedures and trainings for
the Walking School Bus volunteers to use. The Pennsylvania
Advocates for Nutrition and Activity (PANA) Walking School
Bus Guide contains sample policies and procedures.
5. Ask about other obstacles that may need to be addressed
before change can take place.
Network1. Gather support from parents, committed school staff and
concerned community members.
2. A network will allow you to offer the school volunteers,
plan the Walking School Bus, promote the concept to the
community and students and/or petition the school.
Take Action1. Publicize the start of the Walking School Bus Program to
students, families and the surrounding community.
2. Train volunteers and enroll students in the program.
3. Start walking!
6W
alking School Bus
“Investigate whether
the sidewalks around
the school allow for
safe walking and
biking to school.”
99www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Ideas for Success1. PANA has excellent resources for Walking School Buses.
2. Refer to the resources list for details
Resources PANA Walking School Bus Guide
“How to” Guides: establishing a program, planning routes,
customizable resources and more...
www.panaonline.org/programs/khz/actionkits/wsb/establish.php
Walking School Bus
“How to” Guides, Basic Information, Evaluations, Walkability
Checklist, Program Examples and Pedestrian Safety
www.walkingschoolbus.org
Walk to School
“How To” information, walking program ideas, walkability
checklist, and more…
www.walktoschool.org
KidsWalk-to-School
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s nutrition and
physical activity program information and resources on
increasing awareness of walking programs, encouraging
students to participate, Walking School Buses, Pre-Packaged
PowerPoints and more….
www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/kidswalk/index.htm
6W
alking School Bus
100 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
6P.A.R.E.N.T. Process ResourcesTip Sheets for Parents
There are many small steps you can take to
create a healthier environment for your
child at home and at school. The following
section highlights some practical, everyday tips
for parents to utilize now. Feel free to copy these
handouts and pass them on to other interested
parents. From fundraising ideas that promote
physical activity to birthday parties that feature
healthy snacks, from the classroom to the living
room, these handouts are useful resources for the
parent who wants to emphasize the importance
of a healthy lifestyle.
Remember these are only suggestions, and are
meant to serve as a guide. There are plenty of
creative ways to make your child’s health and
wellness a fun and all-inclusive activity - this is
just the beginning.
101www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Fundraising at School
Benefits of Healthy FundraisingA healthy school environment goes beyond school meals
in the cafeteria. All foods available on school property can
promote and support student wellness, healthy food choices,
and physical activity. Even with fundraising the healthy
eating message can be reinforced when healthy food choices
are selected for fundraising items. Many resources and
websites are now available to offer alternatives to selling
candy or baked goods. Help your school select a creative
fundraising option.
Healthy Ideas1. Replace fundraisers that sell low-nutrition foods with non-
food products or healthier food products.
2. Ask fundraising companies to provide your school with
fundraising catalogs that feature only non-food or healthy
food products.
3. Hold school fundraisers in restaurants where most menu
options are healthy choices.
4. Ask students for ideas that are healthy and will be popular
and profitable with students.
5. Ask for or choose companies that feature either images of
healthier foods and beverages or school logos on the front of
vending machines.
6. Encourage non-food or healthy food fundraisers with
parents, teachers, and students by giving them a list of
healthy food and non-food fundraiser ideas.
7. School fundraisers involving food items should not
compete with foods offered in the school cafeteria for
breakfast and/or lunch and should not be sold before or
during breakfast or lunch time.
8. Schools can and should establish specific nutrition
standards for all food items sold as fundraisers.
9. Nutrition information for all foods sold should be visible
on the food package or made available to purchasers.
10. Fundraisers using food items that do not meet
established nutrition standards should not be allowed
during school hours and within ½ hour before and ½ hour
after school.
Fundraising IdeasHealthy Food IdeasBottled water with school name/logo
Gift baskets of fruit or cheese
Fresh or exotic fruit
High quality produce items
Naturally low-fat pretzels
Specialty shaped pastas
Boxes of citrus fruit
Popcorn
Nuts or trail mix
Fruit smoothies
Activity-Related Skate night/Skate-a-thons
Jog-a-thons/Walk-a-thons
Jump rope-a-thons
Bike-a-thons
Tennis/horseshoe competitions
Golf tournament
Bowling night
3-on-3 basketball tournament
School SpiritMugs, magnets, hats, frisbees,
megaphones, stadium cushions
Clothing
License plate frames
Buttons, pins, stickers
Student directories
Fun and EntertainingDances
Talent shows/Plays
Family game night
Magic shows
School art drawings
Singing telegrams
Flowers
Golf tournaments
Carnivals/festivals
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Sports camps for younger children
Craft sales
Auctions
Raffle off gift baskets, gift
certificates, VIP parking spaces,
movie tickets, school event tickets
Community-RelatedCustomized signs
Family portraits
Gift wrapping
Conference/Workshop
Book fairs
Grocery Store - many chains
disburse a percentage of shopper’s
purchases to a designated school
Dinner/silent auction
Bricks with engraved donor names
Rummage or clothing sale
Rent-A-Teen-Helper (rake leaves,
water gardens, mow lawns)
Selling local agriculture products
Recycling cans, paper, ink
cartridges
Car emergency kits
Car washes
Material-RelatedCandles, jewelry, bath accessories,
home decorations, ornaments,
greeting cards, stationery, books,
calendars, magazines, cookbooks,
coffee, spices
Computer software
Plants, flowers, bulbs, seeds
Stone, brick or tile memorials
Coupon books/discount cards
CDs/DVDs
Temporary tattoos
Magazine subscriptions
*Fundraisers involving raffles,
bingo, number games, etc. may
have to be registered by the state.
11. Fundraising activities should not be held during class time.
12. Parent/community support groups unrelated to the
school, which are engaging in fundraising may request
participation of high school students, in fundraising
activities after school hours.
13. Parent/community support groups which are related to
the school should be asked to follow the established school
fundraising guidelines.
14. Home-baked goods may be sold by an organization
during school hours on no more than three occasions during
any 90-day period and should follow the established school
fundraising guidelines.
Fundraisers that Undermine Children’s Diet and HealthGiven the rising obesity rates and children’s poor diets,
many schools are reconsidering whether selling low-
nutrition foods is an appropriate way to raise money.
Examples of fundraisers that undermine a healthy diets are
listed below:
bake sales•candy, cookie dough and doughnut sales•pizza or pizza kit sales•restaurant fundraisers (fast-food restaurants offer a •school a cut of the sales on a week night)
label redemption programs (families purchase products •and turn the labels in to the school which redeems them
for school supplies or money)
sale of foods and beverages of poor nutritional quality •through a la carte, vending or school stores on campus
Website Links for Non-food or Healthy Fundraising Ideas and Additional Guidelines:www.dhs.ca.gov/ps/cdic/cpns/powerplay/download/PP_
ParentTipSheets_Fundraising_03-07.pdf
www.healthysd.gov/Documents/HealthyFundraisingIdeas.pdf
www.ActionForHealthyKids.org/filelib/resources/
fundraisingtips.pdf
www.ActionForHealthyKids.org/filelib/resources/CSPI%20
Healthy%20Fundraising%20Report.pdf
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Healthy School Parties
Benefits of Healthy School PartiesFoods offered in the many different settings of the
school environment can support the lessons taught in the
classroom and encourage students to be healthy and fit.
Schools are a natural place to help students learn lessons
about good nutrition and healthy lifestyles and students can
practice these lessons often, such as, during school parties.
Healthy celebrations can:
Help children learn better. Research shows that good •nutrition is linked to better behavior and academic
performance in the classroom.
Provide consistent messages. Healthy classroom •celebrations demonstrate a school’s commitment to
promoting healthy behaviors.
Promote a healthy school environment. Students can •receive consistent, reliable, health information and an
opportunity to use it.
Create excitement about nutrition. Children are excited •about new and different things including healthy snacks.
Healthy Ideas1. Choose foods that are high in nutrients and low in fat,
sugar and sodium.
2. Consider combining student birthday parties into one
monthly event that incorporates physical activity and
healthy snacks.
3. Foods offered should add to the fun, but try to avoid
making food the main focus.
4. Foods offered should support lessons taught in the
classroom regarding nutrition and physical activity.
5. Remind parents to provide healthy treats for students
during school parties.
6. Consider ethnic and medical food restrictions and
allergies when providing classroom snacks.
Seasonal Celebration IdeasBirthday PartiesThere are many ways of making the birthday child feel special:
Single them out with a “VIP” button, badge or crown•Have the birthday child be the first to do each classroom •activity and/or be the line leader for the day.
Healthy Party FoodSnacksFresh fruit and vegetables
Yogurt
Bagels with low-fat cream cheese
Baby carrots with low-fat dip
Trail mix
Animal crackers
Baked chips
Low-fat popcorn
Granola bars
Soft pretzels and mustard
Pudding
String cheese
Cereal bars
Fresh fruit and cheese kabobs
Fresh fruit tray with yogurt dip
Dried fruit (banana chips, apple
chips, craisins, raisins, etc.)
Cheese and crackers
Rice cakes
Graham crackers
Bagel chips
100% fruit snacks
Tortilla chips and salsa
Apples and caramel dip
EntreesCheese pizza
Ham or turkey and cheese wraps
Quesadillas or bean burritos
with salsa
BeveragesWater
100% fruit juice
Fruit smoothies
Low-fat milk
-
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Book Donation - A great way to build up the classroom •library and recognize the child. Have the child’s family
donate a book and inside label it “this book was donated
to Mrs. Smith’s classroom in honor of John Jones’ 8th
birthday.
Christmas, Hanukah, KwanzaaThese holidays provide the opportunity to focus on
community outreach. Instead of throwing a party have each
class pool its efforts in honor of a worthy cause.
Examples include:
decorating pillowcases to give to a homeless shelter.•making holiday cards for a nursing home.•collecting animal treats for the SPCA.•
EasterDecorate plastic or rubber eggs with paints, stickers and
glitter. The Easter Bunny can hide small toys or coins inside
plastic eggs for hunting. Easter baskets can be filled with
books, legos, art supplies or washable stuffed animals, or
other smaller trinkets available online.
HalloweenThere’s more to Halloween than candy. Change the focus by
looking at other aspects of the holiday.
Let the students wear their costumes to school. •Make Halloween into a drama day where kids get to make •their own costumes or masks and act out their own plays.
Explore the history and legends behind Halloween.•
ThanksgivingThanksgiving is about giving thanks for what we have and
for the people we have in our lives. Have students share what
they are thankful for by writing a poem, drawing a picture
or telling a story.
Valentine’s DayHave students write down one positive comment about each
classmate, e.g. “you’re a good friend” or “you have a nice
smile,” and pass them out as valentines.
Adapted from:Friedman, R. (2005). Community Action to Change School
Food Policy: An Organizing Kit. Boston, MA: Massachusetts
Public Health Association (p. 63-64).
Non-Food TreatsPencils
Erasers
Pencil toppers
Temporary tattoos
Stickers
Recipe IdeasCrispy Cheese Critters1 pack whole wheat tortillas
2 cups grated cheese
½ cup bacon bits
Assorted Cookie Cutters
Cut out shapes in the tortillas with
cookie cutters. Place shapes on
cookie tray and top with cheese
and bacon bits. Broil 3-5 minutes
and allow to cool.
Yogurt Parfaits½ cup Vanilla low-fat yogurt
¼ cup Chopped fruit (frozen or
fresh)
¼ cup Low-fat granola
Put yogurt into single serving
cup. Top with fruit and then
granola.
To check the nutritional value of
your child’s snack, log on to:
www. Snackwise.org
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Healthy School Snacks
Benefits of Healthy SnacksServing healthy snacks to children is important to providing
good nutrition, supporting lifelong healthy eating habits,
and helping to prevent costly and potentially-disabling
diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, high blood
pressure and obesity. Snacks play a major and growing role
in children’s diets. Between 1977 and 1996, the number of
calories that children consumed from snacks increased by
120 calories per day.
Below are ideas for teachers, caregivers, program directors,
and parents for serving healthy snacks and beverages to
children in the classroom, in afterschool programs, at soccer
games, and elsewhere. Some ideas may be practical for large
groups of children, while other ideas may only work for small
groups, depending on the work and cost involved.
Fruits and VegetablesMost of the snacks served to children should be fruits and
vegetables, since most kids do not eat the recommended five
to thirteen servings of fruit and vegetables each day. Eating
fruits and vegetables lowers the risk of heart disease, cancer
and high blood pressure. Fruits and vegetables also contain
important nutrients like vitamins A and C and fiber.
Serving fresh fruits and vegetables can seem challenging.
However, good planning and the growing number of shelf-
stable fruits and vegetable products on the market make
it easier. Though some think fruits and vegetables are
costly snacks, they are actually less costly than many other
less-healthful snacks on a per-serving basis. According
to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the average cost of
a serving of a fruit or vegetable (all types - fresh, frozen,
and canned) is 25 cents per serving. This is a good deal
compared with a 69-cent single-serve bag of potato chips
or an 80-cent candy bar. Try lots of different fruits and
vegetables and prepare them in various ways to find out
what your kids like best.
Healthy GrainsThough most kids eat plenty of grain products, too many
of those grains are cookies, snack cakes, sugary cereals,
Snack IdeasHealthy IdeasServe snacks with fun plates,
napkins, cups, or straws.
Have a tasting party where
children can vote for their favorite
healthy snacks.
FruitApplesauce
Dried fruit
Frozen fruit
Fruit leathers
Fruit salad
Popsicles
Fruit kabobs
Smoothies
VegetablesRaw vegetables with low-fat salad
dressing or dip
Salad
Soy (edamame are fun to eat
and easy to serve)
Veggie pockets
Ants on a log
Whole GrainsWhole wheat pitas or tortillas
English muffins
Breakfast cereal
Crackers
Rice Cakes
Popcorn
Baked tortilla chips
Granola
Cereal bars
Pretzels
Breadsticks
Flatbreads
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Rice Krispy treats, and other refined grains that are high
in sugars or fat. Try to serve mostly whole grains, which
provide more fiber, vitamins, and minerals than refined
grains. In addition, try to keep the added sugars to less than
35% by weight and the saturated and trans fat low (i.e. less
than 10% of calories, or about one gram or less per serving).
Low-Fat DairyDairy goods are a great source of calcium, which can help
to build strong bones. However, dairy products also are the
biggest sources of artery-clogging saturated fat in kids’
diets. To protect children’s bones and hearts, make sure all
dairy foods served are low-fat or fat-free.
Healthy BeveragesWater should be the main drink served to kids at snack
times. Water satisfies thirst and does not have sugar or
calories. (Plus, it is low-cost for caregivers!) If kids are used
to getting sweetened beverages at snack times, it may take a
little time for them to get used to drinking water.
Carbonated drinks like seltzer, sparkling water and club
soda are healthy options. They do not contain the sugars,
calories and caffeine of sodas. Serve them alone or try
making “healthy sodas” by mixing them with equal amounts
of 100% fruit juice.
Milk provides key nutrients, such as calcium and vitamin D.
Choose fat-free (skim) or low-fat (1%) milk to avoid the heart-
damaging saturated fat found in whole and 2% (reduced-
fat) milk. It is best to serve fat-free versions of chocolate,
strawberry, or other flavored milks to help balance the
extra calories coming from added sugars. Singe serving
containers of chocolate or other flavored whole or 2% milk
drinks can be too high in calories (400-550 calories) and
saturated fat (1/3 of a day’s worth) to be a healthy beverage
for kids. Soy and rice drinks are good alternatives for
children who prefer not to drink cow’s milk.
Try to buy 100% fruit juice and avoid the added sugars of
juice drinks, punches, fruit cocktail drinks or lemonade.
To find 100% juice, look at beverage nutrition labels for the
percentage of the beverage that is juice.
Adapted from:“Healthy School Snacks.” Center for Science in the Public Interest.
DairyLow-fat cheese
Yogurt
Low-fat pudding
Low-fat frozen yogurt
Other Snack IdeasNuts - peanuts, almonds, walnuts,
pistachios, cashews, or soy nuts
Trail mix - combine low-fat
granola, whole grain cereal,
peanuts, cashews, almonds, and
dried fruit
Luncheon meat - choose lower-fat,
reduced-sodium brands of turkey,
ham and roast beef and serve with
whole wheat bread, pita, tortilla,
or crackers
BeveragesOrange, grapefruit and pineapple
juices are more nutrient-dense and
are healthier than apple, grape, or
pear juices.
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Tips for Parents
You can increase physical activity in your children’s day
by making it fun, being a physical activity role model, and
participating in activities with your kids. Supporting them
to lead an active lifestyle now with at least 60 minutes of
physical activity daily helps them to grow up to become
active, healthy adults. Below are a few tips for promoting
active play and reaching that 60-minutes-a-day goal.
At SchoolSupervise an afterschool physical activity club, or •volunteer to help with a family fitness night.
Team up with other parents to form “walking school •buses” to walk groups of kids to the bus stop or take part
in “Walk to School” day: www.walktoschool.org.
Promote and support scheduled time for daily physical •activity in your child’s school, such as physical education
class and recess.
At HomeWhen your children say they are bored, jump start •their bodies and imaginations by challenging them to
combine elements of two games or sports to create a new
activity.
Incorporate physical activities into birthday parties, •family gatherings and when your kids’ friends come over
to play.
Assist your children in choosing physically active •afterschool programs that offer choices and meet their
interests.
Give gifts that encourage movement, such as a jump •rope, skate board or baseball glove.
Turn on music and dance with your children, or use it to •liven up chore time inside and outside of the home.
In the CommunityLearn which sports and activities your kids enjoy doing •and locate lessons or clubs for them. Some children
thrive on team sports; others like individual activities or
being active with friends in a noncompetitive way.
60 Minutes is the GoalDid you know?Only 28% of children in the Unites
States attend physical education
classes daily, so kids need your
support and encouragement to be
active-especially outside of school-
for at least 60 minutes a day.
The lack of physical activity among
children contributes to health
problems. Healthy habits must
begin early in life-with your help.
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Take advantage of your city’s recreational opportunities-•from soccer leagues to “fun runs” to walking tours.
Involve your children in jobs or community service •activities that they enjoy and that get them moving, such
as planting in the local park or helping neighbors with
cleaning, dog walking or yard work.
Find outdoor activities through nature groups or hiking •clubs, for example, and take your family on an outing.
On Outings or TripsInstead of touring in an automobile, explore different •sights on foot or on a bike.
Plan family outings and vacations that involve walking, •swimming, bicycling or paddling.
Adapted from:“Tips for Parents.” The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, the Department of Health and Human Services,
and the National Association for Sport and Physical
Education.
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Food Allergies
Food Allergies Are...A reaction to food that isn’t normal. The body’s immune
system gets confused. Within minutes (or in up to 2 hours) it
triggers symptoms that may seem like an illness:
sneezing, runny nose, coughing, difficulty breathing or •wheezing (asthma);
itchy skin or eyes, rash or swelling; and/or•nausea, diarrhea, gas, pain or cramps.•
Most allergic reactions are just uncomfortable. But a small
percentage of people have severe reactions that can threaten
their lives. Symptoms that seem like allergies may be other
serious health problems. Find out!
If You Suspect a Food AllergyHave your child checked by your health care provider. That’s
the only way to know if your child really has a food allergy.
If so, being under a doctor’s care is essential!
Skip any urge to diagnose an allergy yourself. If you take
away food, such as milk, your child might miss nutrients
needed to grow and stay healthy.
Help Your Child Manage a Food Allergy and Eat HealthfullyAbout 1 out of 20 children is allergic to at least one food.
There’s good news! Except for peanuts and tree nuts, most
children will outgrow food allergies. Until then, here’s what
you can do:
Get help. You can’t be an instant expert. Your health care
provider can help.
Avoid offering problem foods! Be aware: foods that
cause allergies can be ingredients in mixed foods.
Find out about food substitutes. You need to know
other foods with the nutrients your child would miss. Try to
create dishes your whole family can enjoy.
Common Food AllergiesFor Children:Peanuts
Milk
Eggs
Tree nuts (such as pecans,
almonds, cashews, walnuts)
Soy
Wheat
For Adults:Peanuts
Tree nuts
Fish
Shellfish (especially shrimp)
Studies show that the number of
children with food allergies is
increasing (Weiss, 2004).
Although there are many theories,
the reason for this increase is
unknown. Eight percent of
American children and 4% of
all Americans suffer from food
allergies (Health and Human
Services [HHS], 2004).
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Read the ingredient list on food labels. That’s
how to tell if a packaged food has the problem ingredient.
Tell all caregivers. Bring a note from your child’s
health care provider to the day care center. Tell babysitters,
grandparents, other relatives and friends! Explain what
foods to avoid and why.
Order carefully for your child when you eat out. Ask about the ingredients.
Take food from home. If you are not sure about food at a
day care, restaurant or someone’s home, pack food for your
child.
Role-play with your child. Practice what to do when
someone who doesn’t know about the food allergy offers food.
ResourcesFood Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN)
FAAN works to raise public awareness, to provide advocacy
and education, and to advance research on behalf of all those
affected by food allergies and anaphylaxis.
http://www.foodallergy.org
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA)
AAFA provides practical information, community based
services, and support through a national network of
chapters and support groups. AAFA develops health
education, organizes state and
national advocacy efforts, and funds research to find better
treatments and cures.
http://www.aafa.org
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
(AAAAI)
The AAAAI represents allergists, clinical immunologists,
allied health professionals, and others with a special interest
in treating and researching diseases such as allergic
rhinitis, asthma, atopic dermatitis/eczema, and anaphylaxis.
The AAAAI Web site provides many resources for patients
and for healthcare professionals.
http://www.aaaai.org
Adapted from:United States Department of
Agriculture, Food and Nutrition
Service
“Food Allergies, or Just Food
Fussiness?” Nibbles for Health:
Newsletters for Parents of Young
Children
National Food Service
Management Institute
“Meeting Children’s Special Food
and Nutrition Needs in Child
Nutrition Programs.”
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Concessions at School
Benefits of Healthy ConcessionsSchools can send a positive nutrition message by ensuring
the foods sold in concessions and vending machines actively
promote healthy foods including fruits, vegetables, whole
grains, and low-fat dairy. Studies show that:
The sale of healthy foods can be profitable.•Students will buy and consume healthy foods and •beverages when those options are tasty, easily accessible
and priced right.
School food service and vending programs can continue •to make money while offering healthy food and beverage
options to students. Some schools have made more
money by offering healthy options.
Parents appreciate the availability of healthy options for •themselves and their children.
Healthy Ideas1. Price healthy options at a lower cost than other items.
Make up the cost difference by increasing the price of candy
and soft drinks.
2. Place healthier foods and beverages in “prime” locations,
such as at students’ eye level.
3. Offer free samples of new healthy products.
4. Give discount coupons for healthy items.
5. Use a school mascot symbol to designate healthy choices.
6. Limit candy choices.
7. Offer diet & caffeine-free soda pop.
8. Use smaller portion-sized snack bags and candy bars;
avoid “king-size.”
9. Limit beverage portion sizes to 12 ounces or less.
10. No maximum serving size for water and non-caloric
drinks.
11. Offer only fat-free, 1% or 2% milk for either plain or
flavored milk.
12. Where possible, reduced calorie items should be offered
next to non-reduced calorie items, i.e. low-fat yogurt vs.
regular yogurt.
Healthy Concession IdeasGrilled chicken sandwich
Fresh fruit and vegetables
Bagels with low-fat cream cheese
Granola bars
Pizza (no extra cheese and only
one meat item)
String cheese
Milk, water, 100% juice
Sub sandwiches
Low-fat yogurt
Trail mix
Nuts and seeds
Animal crackers
Low-fat popcorn
Soft pretzels and mustard
Low-fat pudding
Salsa and baked tortilla chips
Fruit smoothies
Cereal bar
Chili
Pasta salad with low-fat dressing
Graham crackers
100% fruit snacks
Crackers with cheese
Baked potatoes with cheese,
chili and salsa
Salads
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Non-Food Rewards
Importance of Using Alternatives to Food as a RewardAt school, home and throughout the community kids
are offered food as a reward for “good” behavior. Often
these foods have little or no nutritional value but are easy,
inexpensive and can bring about short-term behavior
change.
There are many disadvantages to using food as a reward:
It undermines nutrition education being taught in the •school environment.
It encourages overconsumption of foods high in added •sugar and fat.
It teaches kids to eat when they are not hungry as a •reward to themselves.
Kids learn preferences for foods made available to them,
including those that are unhealthy. Poor food choices and
inadequate physical activity contribute to overweight and
obesity. Currently, obesity among kids is at epidemic levels
and can often lead to serious health problems.
Low-Cost Alternatives to Food as a Rewardselect a paperback book•enter a drawing for donated prizes•take a trip to the treasure box (non-food items)•get stickers, pencils, and other school supplies•receive a video store or movie theater coupon•get a set of flash cards printed from a computer•receive a “mystery pack” (notepad, folder, sports, •cards, etc.)
Adapted from:Michigan Department of Community Health’s
Cardiovascular Health, Nutrition & Physical Activity Section
at Lincoln Elementary School in South Haven, Michigan.
Alternative RewardsZero-Cost ItemsSit by friends
Teach the class
Watch a video
Listen to a book on CD
Make deliveries to the office
Read outdoors
Have a teacher perform a special
skill (i.e. singing)
Have a teacher read a special book
to the class
Listen to music while working
Play a favorite game or puzzle
Earn play money for privileges
Have extra art time
Walk with a teacher during lunch
Eat lunch outdoors as a class
Be a helper in another classroom
Enjoy class outdoors
Have an extra recess
Eat lunch with a teacher or principal
Play a computer game
Dance to favorite music after class
Read to a younger class
Get a “no homework” pass
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center for healthy weight and nutrition
Be Physically Active Daily
Physical Activity Is Important for Good Health
maintain good health
physical activity every day
they get older
games
recreation center
to do together:
– go for a swim
Information provided in this sheet was adapted from
116 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
center for healthy weight and nutrition
Eat a Healthy Breakfast Every Day
Eating Breakfast Daily is Important for Good Health
– Makes you less likely to snack – Increases attention
– low-fat dairy products, lean meats, eggs, nuts or reduced fat
Meat/Dairy Grains/Fruit/Veggies
Unsweetened, whole grain cereal
Dried fruit (cherries, bananas, raisins, cranberries)
Low fat milk
Low fat lunch meat (turkey, chicken, ham)
Nuts (almonds, walnuts, etc.)
Quick Tips
products, or yogurt if lactose
intolerant
(nuts, dried fruits,
pretzels, and dry cereal)
powder in low-fat milk
– Low-fat dairy products
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center for healthy weight and nutrition
Eat More Family Meals
Family Meals Are Important For Good Health
better health choices
in school
Family Meals: What Your Family Can Do
new foods
helpful tips
roasted foods
home
juice
dressing or choose light mayo or dressing
food restaurants
For More Information
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center for healthy weight and nutrition
Proper Portions
Trends in Increasing Portion Sizes
Whether at home or at your favorite restaurant, oversized portions are
everywhere. Restaurant meals, snacks, desserts, and beverage amounts
have increased steadily over the past two decades.
Oversized Portions = Excess Calories
– Extra calories from large portion sizes can get in the way of
maintaining a healthy weight
20 Years Ago Today
Portion Calories Portion Calories
Bagel 3” 140 Bagel 6” 350
Soda 6.5 ounces 82 Soda 20 ounces 250
What Your Family Can Do
Divide up contents of one large package into smaller containers so
that your favorite foods are in “portion friendly” servings
serving size for your child into a bowl or container
www.MyPyramid.gov
Quick Tips A portion differs from “serving sizes” and are often larger than the Food Guide Pyramid’s recommendation of a serving size. Portions are the amounts offered in a package of food, at a restaurant, or the amount a person chooses to put on their plate.
Common serving sizes are listed below.
Food Group
One Serving
Size
Examples of One Serving
Equals
Grains 1 oz. 1 slice of bread
5 crackers
½ cup cooked pasta or rice
1 CD case
Fruits ½ cup ½ banana
16 grapes
½ large apple, orange, or
banana
A tennis ball
A tennis ball
Vegetables ½ cup 6 baby carrots
½ of green beans
1 large sweet potato
A tennis ball
A tennis ball
Dairy 1 cup 1 cup of milk low-fat
1 cup of low-fat yogurt
1 stick of string cheese
Stacking 4 dice is equal
to 1 oz of cheese
Meats & Protein
1-3 oz. 2 Tbsp. of peanut butter
3 oz chicken, beef
A golf ball
Deck of cards
Information provided in this sheet was adapted from the U.S. Food and Drug
For More Information
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center for healthy weight and nutrition
Fruits and Vegetables for Better Health
Why Fruits and Vegetables?
variety of colorful
(tomatoes, spaghetti sauce, apples)
(carrots, oranges, peaches)
(green beans, kiwi, green apples and spinach)
(raisins, blueberries, plums)
(cauliflower, bananas, mushrooms)
1 Serving Size How to Measure
Fruits fruithalf of a handful
of a tennis ball
Vegetables
green leafy
baseball
120 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
center for healthy weight and nutrition
Limit Total Screen Time to 2 hours A Day
Limiting Screen Time Is Important For Good Health
Many kids spend over four to six hours a day involved in screen time.
This includes: TV, internet, video or computer games and talking and
texting on the phone. Doctors recommend that total screen time be
limited two hours or less daily. This allows for more time to be physically
active and limits unhealthy snacking.
Limit Screen Time: What Your Family Can Do
day for computer and video games
with each other during meal times
This only encourages inactivity and makes electronic gadgets seem
too important
or playing on the computer
Quick Tips
you spend in front of the TV or
the computer
video games and computer time
Turn off the TV or computer for a
whole day, at least one day a week
Be active during commercials
by seeing how many push-ups,
jumping jacks, arm circles or
sit-ups you can do before the
commercial is over
computer
Information provided adapted from the Centers for Disease Control, Ohio Action For Healthy Kids, and National Heart Lung and Blood Institute
For More Information
2850
121www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
center for healthy weight and nutrition
Limit Sugar-Sweetened Beverages
Why limit sugar-sweetened beverages?
extra calories and sugar
many nutrients for good health
ingredients
Your Family Can Do
contains additional sugars by reading
an ingredient list go by many different
that a beverage is sweetened and will
Fructose
Dextrose
Instead drink
water or other calorie free
beverages to quench your
thirst
only if you have had intense
exercise
122 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Healthy Living at Home123 Introduction to Healthy Living at Home
126 Breakfast
128 Healthy Snacking
130 Eating More Fruits and Vegetables
132 Family Meals
134 Helping Your Child Become More Active
136 Portion Control
138 Food Groups to Encourage
Section 7
123www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Introduction to Healthy Living at Home
Healthy eating and exercise patterns are established during
childhood. Parents are responsible for providing a home
environment that promotes healthy eating and adequate physical
activity. It is important to recognize you are your children’s role
model when it comes to healthy eating and exercise. Remember,
your children are very impressionable and notice both your good
and bad habits. Providing your children with a healthy home
environment promotes good nutrition and discourages unhealthy
habits. If you focus on living a healthy lifestyle, then your children
will too!
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Guide
Pyramid addresses the daily nutrition and physical activity
requirements for growing kids. Focus on providing your children
with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and dairy products.
By following these guidelines, you can provide a strong foundation
at home and educate your children on the importance of making
healthy lifestyle choices.
Follow a Balanced DietIn order for your children to grow, they require a variety of
nutritious foods. Each meal should consist of a whole wheat grain,
meat/protein, dairy product and vegetable and/or fruit. Encourage
your kids to drink plenty of water and milk and limit their intake
of caffeine, soda pop and sugary beverages.
Schedule Family MealsStudies show that the more families eat together, the more likely
children are to choose nutritious foods. Each day should include
three meals and two healthy snacks, in order to provide your kids
with the energy they need. Start the day off with breakfast together
and finish with a nice family dinner.
Make Nutritious Snacks Readily Available Healthy snacks twice a day provide young children with the energy
they need to function properly and helps them get from meal to
meal without feeling hungry. Stock the pantry with healthy snack
choices and pre-cut fresh produce so that it’s more accessible for
your kids. Share quick and easy recipes with your kids so they can
prepare them at home.
7Healthy Living at Home
“If you focus on
living a healthy
lifestyle, then your
children will too!”
124 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Prepare Meals with More Nutritious SubstitutesPasta and white bread are not bad choices, but whole-grain versions
are better because of the nutrients and fiber they provide. Substitute
reduced sugar and low-fat items when possible. Skim milk and low-
fat yogurt are two great dairy choices. Look for breads, pastas and
cereals that are 100% whole grain.
Educate Children on Healthy ChoicesChildren are surrounded by food choices that many times aren’t
healthy. It’s important to talk with your children about healthy
choices at fast food restaurants, school, vending machines, etc.
Help your children make good decisions by discussing what are
the best food choices at school, classroom parties and at home.
Provide a variety of healthy options that are the right portion size
and let your children choose which foods and beverages they would
like for meals and snacks.
Offer Healthy or Non-Food RewardsTypically, children are rewarded for good behavior with empty
calorie foods such as candy, cookies, cakes and soda pop. Instead of
taking your children out for ice cream, try other types of non-food
rewards like stickers, athletic equipment, small toys or a special
outing just with you.
Promote Physical ActivityMore children live sedentary lifestyles these days, so it is important
to incorporate physical activity into their daily routine. Encourage
your kids to participate in recreation activities or work out at the
local community center. It can be as simple as taking a daily walk
together as a family or visiting the local swimming pool.
Limit Television and Computer TimeStudies show that reducing television time is associated with
reductions in body weight, body fat and obesity. Limit your
children’s computer and television viewing time to less than 2
hours per day.
Actions for ParentsPromote healthy eating behaviors and regular physical •activity for your children.
Breastfeed infants for the first four to six months of life.•Provide healthful food and beverage choices for children by •choosing foods with lots of nutrients but not a lot of calories.
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Assist and educate children in making healthy decisions •regarding types of foods and beverages to eat, how often and
in what portion size.
Encourage and support regular physical activity.•Try to limit children’s television viewing and other •recreational screen time to fewer than two hours per day.
Serve as a positive role model for your child regarding eating •and physical activity behaviors.
7Healthy Living at Home
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Breakfast - The Most Important Meal of the Day!
The Science Behind Breakfast
Just as gasoline fuels cars, food fuels our bodies. Your body
changes food into energy you need for thinking, walking and
talking. When your child wakes up in the morning after a night
time of no food intake, his body is running on an empty tank.
Eating a healthy breakfast:
• enhancesyourchild’sconcentrationandproblem-solving
abilities;
• increaseshisattentionspanandmentalperformance;and
• liftshismood.
Studies have shown that people who eat a healthy breakfast have
better overall diets, are less likely to have health problems and
are more likely to be physically active. So you can see why it’s
important that your child eats a healthy breakfast every morning.
Answers to Your Child’s Breakfast Boycott• “ButDad,Idon’thavetimetoeatbreakfast!”Breakfastdoes
not have to be difficult. Make sure the house has a variety of
healthy grab-and-go breakfast foods, such as fruit and low-fat
yogurt. Also, remember that many schools serve breakfast, so
your child can save time in the morning by simply joining the
School Breakfast Program.
• “ButMom,I’mnothungry!”Ifyourchildiseatingdinneror
snacking late in the evening, he goes to bed while his body is
still digesting this food. During sleep, digestion slows down
and your child is likely to wake up with some food still left in his
stomach. Plan dinner no later than 6:30pm and discourage late
snacking. If he is still not hungry before he heads out to school,
make sure he has some food to take with him because there is
a good chance he will be hungry long before the lunch bell.
• “ButDad,Imightgainweight!”Studiesshowthateating
breakfast helps maintain a healthy weight. Skipping
breakfast might cause him to overeat later on in the day
and/or snack on easily available high calorie snack foods in
vending machines.
• “ButMom,Idon’tlikebreakfastfoods!”Breakfastfoodsdo
not have to be the basic cereal, toast or eggs. Your child can
grab a quick peanut butter sandwich on whole grain bread
or heat up some vegetable soup. Take your child with you to
the grocery store and have him select one or two items he will
enjoy eating for breakfast.
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Breakfast BasicsA healthy breakfast should include a balance of carbohydrates,
protein and fiber. Some good sources for these nutrients include:
• Carbohydrates:whole-graincereals,breads,muffins,fruit,
and vegetables.
• Protein:low-fatornon-fatdairyproducts,leanmeats,eggs,
nuts (including nut butters like peanut butter), seeds and
cooked, dried beans.
• Fiber:whole-grainbreads,wafflesandcereals;brownrice,
bran, and other grains; fruits, vegetables, beans and nuts.
Healthy Breakfast Ideas• Whole-graincerealtoppedwithfruitandacupofyogurt.
• Whole-grainwafflestoppedwithpeanutbutter,fruitor
ricotta cheese.
• Whole-wheatpitastuffedwithslicedhard-boiledeggs.
• Hotcerealtoppedwithcinnamon,nutmeg,allspiceorcloves.
• Peanutbutteronawhole-wheatbagelwithfreshfruit(banana
or apple wedges) and low-fat milk.
• Breakfastsmoothie(low-fatyogurt,fruit,100%fruitjuiceand
ice whirled in a blender) and a piece of whole-grain toast.
• Vegetableomeletwithabranmuffinand100%orangejuice.
• Hummusonwhole-wheattoastandmilk.
• Leanturkeyonatoastedwhole-wheatenglishmuffinand
vegetable juice.
• Brownricewithchoppedapples,nuts,andcinnamon,plus
100% fruit juice.
• Creamcheeseandfreshfruit,suchasslicedstrawberries,ona
piece of whole-grain bread or a whole-grain bagel.
• Shreddedcheeseonawhole-wheattortilla,foldedinhalfand
microwaved for 20 seconds and topped with salsa.
Always remember that you set the example! If your child sees you
get up a little earlier in the morning to eat a healthy breakfast like
whole-grain toast with eggs and 100% fruit juice, he is more likely to
follow your example. So do your best to practice what you preach!
Check out these websites for more information!
www.kidshealth.org
www.kidnetic.com
www.mayoclinic.com
www.opraonline.org
7Breakfast
“If your child
sees you get up a
little earlier in the
morning to eat a
healthy breakfast
like whole-grain
toast with eggs and
100% fruit juice,
he is more
likely to follow
your example.”
128 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Healthy Snacking
The Benefits of Healthy Snacking
If your child is very active he needs plenty of healthy snacks
throughout the day. Remember a child has a smaller stomach
than an adult and his stomach can only hold small portions of food
at any given time. Healthy snacks in between meals are important
to make sure that he:
• getsenoughnutrients,
• isabletomaintainhisenergylevelthroughouttheday,and
• doesnotfeelhungry,whichallowshimtoconcentrateonthe
task at hand without losing focus or becoming cranky.
Tips for Healthy Snacking• Plansnacksasapartoftheday’smealschedule.
• Whenshopping,letyourchildhelppickoutfruits,vegetables,
and cheeses for snacks. He will be more interested in eating
these foods if he has been involved in selecting them.
• Offersnacksatregulartimes,suchasmid-morningandmid-
afternoon. Your child should not nibble constantly during
the day.
• Setasidea“snackspot”intherefrigeratorandcupboard.
Make sure to keep it stocked with nutritious ready-to-eat
snacks.
• Designatea“snackingzone”foreatingsnacksthatisaway
from the television, computer and video games. Munching
snacks in front of the TV or computer can lead to too many
calories from ‘mindless munching.’
• Avoidhighsugar,fattyandsaltysnacks,suchascandy,chips
and soda pop. Be sure you carefully read the nutrition label.
Terms such as “all natural,” “pure” and “low-fat” do not
necessarily mean the snack is healthy.
• Introducenewfoodsthroughsnacks.Includeagameor
activity to learn about the new food and let your child help
prepare it. It takes about 10-12 introductions to a new food
before a child will try it, so do not give up!
• Practicewhatyoupreachbyeatingyourhealthysnacksinthe
designated “snacking zone.”
• Neverofferfoodasarewardforgoodbehavior.
The Building Blocks of Healthy SnacksWhat exactly makes a snack a “healthy snack?” A healthy snack
is a snack that is nutrient-rich, meaning it contains a good amount
7Healthy Snacking
129www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
of vitamins, minerals, protein, carbohydrates, water and yes, even
a small amount of fat! Use the healthy snack building blocks listed
below as a guide for creating your child’s healthy snacks:
• WholeGrains-Whole-grainbread,pretzels,cereals,pastaand
crackers are packed with fiber and good carbohydrates. This
will give your child energy that has nutrition and staying
power. When choosing whole grain snacks, make sure you
check the ingredients list. If the first or second ingredient
listed is not a whole grain, put it back on the shelf.
• FreshFruitsandVegetables-Thesesnackstastegreatby
themselves or can be partnered with a number of other foods,
including whole-grains and low-fat dairy products. Fruits and
vegetables are low calorie, low-fat and packed with vitamins
and minerals. Choose a variety of bright colors when selecting
fruits and vegetables to make sure you are getting a wide
range of vitamins and minerals.
• NutsandSeeds,includingNaturalNutButters-Thesesnacks
are full of protein, which allows your child to feel fuller
longer. They can be high in fat, but most of the fat is a healthy
fat that your child’s body needs. Nuts, seeds and natural nut
butters are high in calories too, so these snacks should be
eaten in small quantities. A handful of unsalted nuts or 2
tablespoons of natural nut butter, such as peanut butter on
whole grain crackers make great snacks.
• Low-FatDairyProducts-Cheese,yogurtandmilkaregood
sources of calcium and protein. Choose the low-fat dairy
products whenever possible. Also, when choosing low-fat
yogurt, read the nutrition label and ingredients list to make
sure it does not have a lot of added sugar.
For more information and healthy snack recipes, check out these
books and websites!
Healthy Snacks by Mari C. Schuh
50 Ways to Take the Junk Out of Junk Food: Quick and Nutritious
Treats to Make with Your Kids by Julie Whittingham
Someone’s in the Kitchen with Mommy: More than 100 Easy
Recipes and Fun Crafts for Parents and Kids by Elaine Magee
Healthy Snacks for Kids by Penny Warner
www.kidnetic.com
www.healthiergeneration.org
www.kidshealth.org
www.mealsmatter.org
7Healthy Snacking
130 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Eating More Fruits and Vegetables
Why Are Fruits and Veggies So Important?
Fruits and vegetables are packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber,
water and other healthy items called antioxidants. These
nutrients help to prevent heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and
certain cancers. When children eat plenty of fruits and vegetables
each day, studies show they have more energy and feel better. In
addition, the fiber and water help your child feel fuller so he is less
likely to overeat during the day.
Tips to Get Your Child Involved and InterestedAs a mother or father, you know getting your child to eat the
recommended 5-13 servings (2 ½ -6 ½ cups) of fruits and vegetables
per day may not be the easiest task. You might understand the
importance of eating plenty of fruits and vegetables each day, but
that does not change your child’s view that fruits and vegetables
are “yucky” and other less nutritious foods, like french fries and
potato chips, are not. Here are some tips from the Produce for Better
Health Foundation to get your child involved in helping to prepare
fruits and vegetables with you. When children help in preparing a
food, they are more likely to taste and eat what they have created:
1. Mean Green Cleaning Machine. Let him wash fruits and
vegetables when preparing for cooking or eating.
2. Pick a Peck! Take your child shopping and let him select a
new fruit or vegetable to try…or several!
3. Make it Snappy! Let him snap the green beans, snap peas, or
break the flowerets from the broccoli or cauliflower.
4. I Spy. Play “I Spy” in the produce section when grocery
shopping.
5. Tear it Up! Let him tear the lettuce for salads and sandwiches.
6. Measure Up! Let him measure the frozen vegetables before
cooking them.
7. Peel & Slice. Older children can peel and slice carrots,
cucumbers, potatoes…the list goes on!
8. Stir & Spice. Make applesauce from fresh apples. Let him help
stir and add the cinnamon.
9. A Sprinkle a Day. Let him sprinkle herbs or other seasonings
onto vegetables.
10. Monster Mash! Pull out the potato masher!
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Fast and Fun Ways to Get More Fruits and Veggies in Your Child’s Diet1. Add it in!
• Addpeasordicedgreenbellpepperstomacaroniandcheese.
• Addfreshfruittolow-fatyogurt.
• Adddicedveggiestoanomelet.
• Addchoppedonion,bellpepper,garlic,orotherveggiestoa
jar of spaghetti sauce.
2. Top it off!
• Topahomemadepizzawithspinachleavesandchoppedfresh
veggies.
• Topcereal,pancakesandwaffleswithfreshfruit.
• Topacasserolewithshreddedcarrotsorzucchinibefore
baking for added texture.
3. Camouflage it!
• Finelyshredvegetablesandmeltthemintoagrilledcheese
sandwich or quesadilla.
• Foldfruitslikeblueberriesandraspberriesorshred
vegetables like zucchini and carrots into pancake, waffle or
muffin batter.
• Slidefinelychoppedvegetablessuchasbroccoli,spinachand
carrots beneath the cheese of a homemade cheese pizza or in
the middle layer of a lasagna.
• Blendfreshorfrozenfruitsandveggieswithlow-fatyogurt
and ice.
4. Dip it!
• Dipfreshveggiesinlow-fatdressing,beandiporhummus.
• Dipfruitinyogurt,low-fatsourcreamorpeanutbutter.
For more information and great healthy snack recipes, check out
these books and websites!
Deceptively Delicious: Simple Secrets to Get Your Kids Eating
Good Food by Jessica Seinfeld
The Sneaky Chef: Simple Strategies for Hiding Healthy Foods in
Kids’ Favorite Meals by Missy Chase Lapine
www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov
www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org
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132 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Family Meals
Finding the time for regular family meals can be hard to do, but
eating together as a family is important. Because you control
what goes on the table, the family has a better overall diet. Let’s
face it, what child is going to eat broccoli on his own? But, a child
is much more likely to eat broccoli when it is part of a family meal.
Plus, eating together as a family is a great time to talk with your
children. This has proven to help reduce the chance your child will
get involved with drugs and alcohol.
Family Meal Planning 101The key to family meals that are quick and easy is planning ahead.
Use these 5 simple steps to help you:
1. Everyone helps. Ask your family to name some of their
favorite meals and use these in your weekly menus. By taking
your family’s meal likes and dislikes into consideration, they
are more likely to eat what is prepared and help with cooking
and clean up.
2. Write it down. Write down each day of the week and what will
be served on that day. Stick it on the refrigerator. This way,
you should never hear “What’s for dinner?” again.
3. Check what you already have. Know what foods you already
have in the cupboard and refrigerator so you do not buy more
of what is already there.
4. Make a grocery list. Now that you know what you will serve
each day, make a grocery list of all the foods and how much of
each you will need for the week. Already having these foods
on hand will make cooking dinner every night quick and easy.
For foods that spoil quickly like produce, buy what you need
for the first couple of meals that week. Make another quick
trip to the grocery in the middle of the week to buy the rest.
A Few Things to Keep in Mind…• Makeyourplatelooklikearainbow.Themorecoloron
your plate, the more healthy your meal. For example, try
serving grilled salmon with brown rice, steamed broccoli and
watermelon for dessert.
• Maketwiceasmuchandfreezeit.Thismakesmealslater
on in the week that much easier! If you are browning ground
turkey for dinner on Monday, cook double and freeze the
second half for a delicious taco dinner on Thursday. If you are
making a pan of lasagna for dinner on Tuesday, make two and
stick the second pan in the freezer to pull out and pop in the
oven for lunch on Saturday.
7Family Meals
“Finding the time
for regular family
meals can be hard
to do, but eating
together as a family
is important.”
133www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
• Plansomesimplemealsforbusiernightsduringtheweek.
Use your crock-pot or pressure cooker for quick and easy one-
pot meals like roast with potatoes and carrots. Serve fresh
salads and fruits for the side dishes and you’ve got a delicious
family meal in no time!
• Includecannedandfrozenfruitsandvegetables.Aslongas
these foods are not canned in sauces or syrups that have extra
salt and/or sugar, canned and frozen fruits and vegetables
are good foods to keep on the shelf at home. They are a great
source of nutrients, they do not spoil easily and they can help
cut down the time needed to prepare meals.
• Getcreativewithleftovers.Ifyouhavebroiledchickenbreast
for dinner one night, cut the leftover chicken meat into strips
and use them in chicken fajitas the next night. If you open a
can of beans for a salad topper one night, use the rest in a pot
of chili the next night.
• Tryplanningatleastonefishmealandonemeatlessmeal
each week. Fish is great for your entire body because it is
packed with protein, low in saturated fat, and full of heart-
healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Meatless meals like eggplant
Parmesan and cheese tortellini are usually lighter on your
wallet, lower in fat and higher in fiber than meals based
around a meat dish.
For more information, check out these great books and websites!
Saving Dinner: The Menus, Recipes, and Shopping Lists to Bring
Your Family Back to the Table by Leanne Ely
The Weekly Feeder: A Revolutionary Shopping, Cooking and Meal
Planning System by Cori Kirkpatrick
Balanced Eating Made Easy with the Food Balance Wheel: A How-
To Guide For Quickly Planning Balanced Meals Around Your
Own Favorite Healthy Food Choices by Art Dragon
www.mealsmatter.org
www.thisweekfordinner.com
www.organizedhome.com
7Family Meals
134 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Helping Your Child Become More Active
The Benefits of Exercise
Health professionals recommend every child get at least
60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity
every day. Active children usually have leaner bodies, improved
coordination, increased self-esteem and can concentrate better in
school. Additionally, active children are less likely to suffer from
depression, anxiety, diabetes, asthma and heart disease.
Limit Screen TimeToo many children spend anywhere from four to six hours a day
being inactive by watching TV, playing video games, using the
computer and talking on the phone. Your child may complain a
little, but it is best to limit his screen time to less than two hours a
day. Here are some tips to help you and your child:
Move the TV. Remove TVs, computers and video games from •bedrooms and make one space in your home the family media
area.
Plan screen time in advance. Have your children choose their •favorite TV shows each week and only have the TV on during
that time. For computer and video games, select specific times
of the day they can be used.
Make family meal time important. Turn off the TV, gather •around the table and start chatting with each other during
meal times.
Do not use extra TV, video game and computer time as •a reward. This encourages inactivity and makes these
electronic gadgets seem more important than they are.
Tips for Creative ExerciseIf screen time is going to be cut back, your child will want to know
what he is supposed to do instead. Here are a few suggestions for
fun physical activities that involve the entire family:
Explore your local bike paths. Bike paths provide safe, scenic, •vehicle-free means for walking, running or biking. Bike path
maps for the state of Ohio can be found online at
www.dot.state.oh.us/bike/maplist.htm.
Sign the family up to walk and/or run a 5K race. Training •for these events as a family is a great way to build family
togetherness and to meet the daily recommended 60 minutes
of exercise.
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Grab some sporting equipment and head out to the park •nearest you. Toss a frisbee, play some kickball, pitch a
baseball or hike some trails if available.
If you have older children, head to the gym. Workout together. •You can teach them how to use different types of gym
equipment, such as cardio machines, balance balls and bench
presses.
Go for a swim. Visit the nearest YMCA or community pool. •Swimming is great exercise and it is fun for children of all ages.
Assign chores. Cleaning is a great form of both indoor and •outdoor exercise for kids. Plus, it teaches them responsibility!
Assign chores that work up a sweat like mowing the lawn,
gardening, washing the car and sweeping the floors.
Go out for a family walk after dinner. Walking after a meal •not only provides exercise, it helps prevent heartburn. You
can use your walk to connect with your children and talk
about the day.
Plan family outings that involve a lot of walking. Take a •trip to the zoo or a nearby miniature golf course. Check out
your local Department of Recreation and Parks website for
information about outdoor activities in a nearby park. These
are usually free and provide fun and exercise for the whole
family.
Plan family vacations that involve physical activities. Visit •places known for great hiking and biking trails, skiing and
swimming.
Remember: You Set the ExampleIf you really want your child to get off the couch and get moving, he
has to see you doing it as well. Be a great role model by exchanging
some of your couch time for physical activity.
For more information, check out these great websites!
www.mypyramid.gov
www.beactivekids.org
www.americanheart.org
http://health.kaboose.com
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136 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Portion Control Portion sizes in the U.S. have drastically increased throughout the
years. An average hamburger in 1957 contained an ounce of meat;
in 1996 it contained six ounces. Fast food establishments offer
super size combo meal options for mere change while adding an
additional 400 calories to a meal. Some establishments now offer
larger children’s meal selections while possibly tacking on 100-180
more calories.
Larger portion sizes are a factor in the rise of childhood obesity.
Although portion sizes have become bigger, serving sizes have
not. “Serving sizes” are USDA Food Guide Pyramid recommended
standard amounts of food that help give an understanding of the
caloric and nutritional intake of a particular food and how much
should be consumed. There are no set portion size standards.
Portion sizes larger than the recommended “serving size” often
increase caloric intake and add additional unwanted calories that
may lead to obesity. Portion size is an issue that affects children in
and out of the home.
A child’s age, gender and activity level are all factors that determine
how much he or she needs to eat every day to stay healthy. Boys
and girls even of the same age grow at different rates and thus
may be of different size and need more or less calories. Daily food
recommendations for children who exercise 30 minutes a day are
listed in the “Food Groups to Encourage” section.
When packing a child’s lunch and providing meals in the home
environment, parents need to understand portion sizes and what
is appropriate for children as they grow. On the next page you will
find some helpful examples of proper portion sizes for your child.
Check out these websites for more information!
www.myeatsmartmovemore.com
www.fns.usda.gov/tn7
Portion Control
137www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Serving Sizes Are in Your Hand
7Portion Control
Fist or cupped hand = 1 cup1 serving = 1/2 cup cereal, cooked pasta or rice
or 1 cup of raw, leafy green vegetables
or 1/2 cup of cooked or raw, chopped vegetables or
fruit
Handful = 1-2 oz. of snack food Snacking can add up. Remember, 1 handful
equals 1 oz. of nuts and small candies. For
chips and pretzels, 2 handfuls equals 1 oz.
Palm = 3 oz. of meatTwo servings, or 6 oz. of lean meat (poultry, fish,
shellfish, beef) should be a part of a daily diet.
Measure the right amount with your palm. One
palm size portion equals 3 ounces or one serving.
Thumb Tip = 1 teaspoonKeep high-fat foods, such as peanut butter and
mayonnaise, at a minimum by measuring the
serving with your thumb. One teaspoon is equal
to the end of your thumb, from the knuckle up.
Three teaspoons equals 1 tablespoon.
Tennis Ball = 1 serving of fruitHealthy diets include 2-4 servings of fruit a day.
Thumb = 1 oz. of cheeseConsuming low-fat cheese is a good way to help
you meet the required servings from the milk,
yogurt and cheese group. 1 1/2 - 2 oz. of low-fat
cheese counts as 1 of the 2-3 daily recommended
servings.
138 www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
Food Groups to EncourageThe Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends these food
groups within MyPyramid as a good source of important nutrients
that help provide the foundation for a healthy diet: whole grains,
vegetables, low-fat and fat free milk and milk products, and fruits.
Increased intakes of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fat-free or
low-fat milk and milk products are likely to have important health
benefits for most Americans, according to the Dietary Guidelines.
They are encouraged for a healthful diet and are sources for specific
nutrients of which many Americans are not getting enough;
calcium, potassium, fiber, magnesium, and vitamins A, C, and E.
Choose a variety of foods from each food group and be sure to
include the recommended amounts every day. Look for nutrient-
rich foods. They have the most vitamins and minerals for the fewest
calories.
Whole GrainsDaily Recommendation = 3 (1 oz.) servingsAt least half of all the grains eaten should be whole grains. A one
ounce serving equals 1 slice whole-wheat bread, 1/2 cup brown
rice, 5 whole-wheat crackers or 1/2 cup oatmeal.
TipsSnack on ready-to-eat, whole-grain cereals such as toasted •oat cereal.
Try brown rice or whole-wheat pasta.•Try whole-grain snack chips, such as baked tortilla chips.•Use whole grains in mixed dishes, such as barley in vegetable •soup or stews and bulgur wheat in stir-fry or casseroles.
Choose foods that name whole wheat, whole oats, brown rice, •etc. first on the label’s ingredient list.
VegetablesDaily Recommendation = 2-1/2 cupsA one cup serving equals 1 cup chopped raw or cooked broccoli, 2
medium carrots, 2 cups of raw, leafy greens or 1 cup cooked, leafy
greens.
TipsBuy vegetables that are easy to prepare. •Try crunchy vegetables raw or lightly steamed.•Shred carrots or zucchini into meatloaf, casseroles, quick •breads or muffins.
7Food Groups to Encourage
139www.OhioActionforHealthyKids.org
7Food Groups to Encourage
Include chopped vegetables in pasta sauce or lasagna.•Set a good example for children by eating vegetables with •meals or as snacks.
FruitsDaily Recommendation = 2 cupsA one cup serving equals 1 cup sliced, chopped or cut-up fruit;
about 8 large strawberries, 1 large orange or 32 seedless grapes.
TipsBuy fresh fruits in season.•Vary your fruit choices-fruits differ in nutrient content.•Keep a bowl of whole fruit on the table, counter or in the •refrigerator.
Refrigerate cut-up fruit to store for later.•Make most of your choices whole or cut-up fruit rather than •juice, for the benefits dietary fiber provides.
For dessert, have baked apples, pears or a fruit salad.•
Dairy FoodsDaily Recommendation = 3 cups of low-fat or fat-free milk or milk equivalentsA one cup serving equals 1 cup milk, 1 container (8 oz.) yogurt or
1-1/2 oz. cheese.
Tips Include milk as a beverage at meals.•Use fat-free or low-fat milk instead of water to prepare •oatmeal and hot cereals.
Make a dip for fruits or vegetables from yogurt.•Top casseroles, soups, stews or vegetables with shredded •reduced fat cheese.
Make fruit and yogurt smoothies in the blender. •If you are lactose intolerant, choose lactose-reduced or low-•lactose varieties cheese, yogurt or milk.
Websites for Additional Informationwww.nutrientrichfoods.org
www.nationaldairycouncil.org
www.nutritionexplorations.org
www.mypyramid.gov
www.DietaryGuidelines.gov
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