The purpose of the Health & Wellness Committee is to deliver educational programs, projects and information to the East Side community about healthy lifestyle choices. Programs are designed with the following research-based results in mind:
Fact #1: Properly nourished children perform better in school – both academically and behaviorally.
Fact #2 : Physical activity strengthens children’s bodies, minds and self-esteem.
Fact #3: Healthy habits are best formed during childhood.
Here are several resources to help families:
American Institute for Cancer Research has a new website for kids – check it out: http://www.thetastebuddies.org Kids can learn about fruits from A-Z and “ask the professor” questions like “Why do we eat fruits and veggies?” and “Why can’t we eat sweets and treats all the time?” -Great info for young kids!
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health created and published Keep the Beat Recipes: Deliciously Healthy Dinners. The new cookbook features 75 simple and delicious recipes influenced by Asian, Latino, Mediterranean, and American cuisine that are good for your heart and taste great too. Follow link for heart healthy recipes to download or to purchase the cookbook. http://www.nih.gov/news/health/nov2009/nhlbi-10.htm -Tasty and Healthy!
Mrs. Obama recently launched a campaign against childhood obesity. The Let’s move” website has several links to help parents make healthy choices for their kids. http://www.letsmove.gov/ There are links to connect you to information for healthy eating, healthy shopping, healthier schools, a BMI calculator, and physical activity. -Nice Move.
Georgia ranks in the top third of states with the highest percentages of overweight/obese children (10-17 yrs). For more tips on including physical activity in your child’s life follow the link http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/getactive/children.html# -Keep Moving!
For several nutritional and health tips for families, kids activity pages, and worksheets, go to mypyramid.gov: http://www.mypyramid.gov/tips_resources/printmaterials.html and http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/resources/mpk_tips.pdf The food pyramid worksheet can help you track your food choices and work on improving your diet each day. http://www.mypyramid.gov/professionals/food_tracking_wksht.html Receive a MyPyramid tip daily by linking to Follow MyPyramid of Twitter!-Keep focused on healthy choices!
East Side PTA sponsors Fit in Fifth and Fit in Third programs which teach students the importance of overall health and wellness issues. The modules are delivered by trained parents once a month in the classroom and focus on nutrition, strength , flexibility, cardiovascular health and body image. The committee is currently working on a Fit in First program.
The support of teachers and parents is critical to delivering a consistent message on the importance of healthy lifestyle choices. Georgia PTA has developed some overall Guidelines to assist in planning classroom celebrations as well as a list of valuable Resources for all who are concerned about children’s health issues.
At East Side, we promote two “Screen Free Weeks” (September and April) to remind families of the importance of exercise as a part of a healthy lifestyle. While students often need some computer time to complete homework and research assignments, these weeks are an opportunity to review what can easily become a “normal” pattern of video games, computer time, television, etc. This Chart will assist in tracking daily activities and here are 101 screen-free ideas!
Go East Side Tigers!