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Kids Get Smart on Health
Physical, expressive and powerful, traditional dance has an
illustrious history in Native American culture. Long a part
of the celebration of tribal life, these same dances have
become the backbone of the Osage Nation Head Start youth
fitness program.
Several years ago, the Indian Health Service called for
education initiatives aimed at parents and preschool
children to teach healthy fitness and nutrition habits.
The Osage Nation Head Start program answered that call with
a greatly expanded Native American dance program and updated
nutrition curriculum. A $10,000 grant from General Mills
Champions for Healthy Kids — a partnership of the American
Dietetic Association, The President’s Challenge and the
General Mills Foundation — made the expansion possible.
Champions for Healthy Kids supports the work of innovative
nutrition and fitness programs developed by schools and
community groups across the country who serve children and
teenagers. The program has positively impacted the health of
100,000 kids with $6 million in grants since 2002. Each
year, Champions for Healthy Kids awards 50 grants of $10,000
each to local nonprofit groups that develop creative ways to
help youth adopt a balanced diet and physically active
lifestyle.
With the $10,000 Champions grant, the Osage Nation Head
Start program built a compact disc library of Native
American music to use in their expanded dance program. To
complement this physical fitness component, the program
worked with a nutritionist to add fruits, vegetables and
healthy snacks to the children’s traditional Native American
diet, which is heavy on corn and beans.
Study after study demonstrates that a child’s diet and level
of activity affect his or her school performance, mental and
emotional well-being and long term physical health.
“Champions for Healthy Kids grants promote the type of
activities the American Dietetic Association Foundation
believes holds the greatest potential to have a positive,
lasting impact on young people’s nutrition and physical
activity,” said Registered Dietitian Neva Cochran,
Chair-elect of the American Dietetic Association Foundation.
Parents also can help instill good fitness and nutrition
habits in their kids at home with these tips from the
American Dietetic Association.
• Get your entire family involved. Research shows children
are often more willing to eat healthy foods and be active if
they see their parents and other family members doing the
same.
• Set healthy, realistic goals. When changes are made
step-by-step, you are more likely to succeed.
• Make the most of family mealtime. Eating meals together
gives you a chance to help your child develop a healthy
attitude toward food.
• Make sure your child eats a balanced, healthy diet.
MyPyramid for Kids, the new food guide pyramid, provides
general guidelines.
• Get active. Plan regular physical activities as a family.
Additional tips for your family can be found on the American
Dietetic Association’s Web site at
www.eatright.org .
If a group in your community has an idea for developing a
program to improve the nutrition and fitness of local kids,
General Mills Champions for Healthy Kids wants to hear from
you. Fifty grants of $10,000 will be awarded to groups with
the most innovative ideas. Grant applications are now being
accepted online at
www.generalmills.com.
All materials courtesy of General Mills Inc.
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