Childhood obesity has doubled in the last three decades, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Obesity can increase the likelihood of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, prediabetes, among other conditions, in children. This is why teaching children healthy food choices and introducing variety is important at an early age!
“It is amazing to see how much the children actually take away from these classes,” Bilingual Nutrition Educator Arely Torres said. “It’s like magic, when you see that little lightbulb turn on as they learn something new.”
In January, Arely piloted a special new component of the “Power of Choice” classes in two of her nine-week series with kindergarten through third grade students. In the nutrition classes, students receive a weekly one-hour class where topics on personal hygiene, nutrition and physical activity are covered. Each class includes movement and hands-on activities to make learning a proactive experience and concludes with a healthy snack.
In efforts to have children take this information home and practice it with their families as part of their normal week, weekly assignments, called Power Sheets, were handed out at the end of class to be brought back the following week. When children completed a Power Sheet assignment, they would get a sticker on their Power Chart. An example of one of the Power Sheet assignments was the Organize the Food Group Handout, by Nourish Interactive, where children had to color the correct foods in each of the food group options given. Dereon Stevens, can be seen in the picture holding his Organize the Food Group Power Sheet. At the end of the nine-week series, all the children are awarded certificates of completion. Those who turned in Power Sheets were also given a special prize. Children responded very well to the Power Sheets during both class series. Overall, 60 percent of children in both classes brought back their Power Sheets from one to four times throughout the program.
“Students, who brought back their Power Sheets, were always eager and ready to turn in their assignments,” Arely said. “Sometimes when it escaped my mind, they made sure to remind me before the end of the class; it was very rewarding to see them so engaged.”
Studies have shown that children who complete homework assignments with the assistance of parents are more successful in improving their learning outcomes (Bailey, 2006). In our nutrition classes we want to use this same concept and have children and families learn together about leading a healthier lifestyle, so that through these experiences students can make learning last a lifetime.
For more information or to schedule a class, contact Angela Henry, nutrition education manager, at (512) 684-2502 or email choices@austinfoodbank.org.
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