What is Nutrition?

Nutrition: the process of providing food necessary for health and growth. The next question: what food is necessary for health and growth? It is this lack of knowledge that is creating problems in our country today. If we can educate children at an early age regarding nutrition, they will grow up with the knowledge and good habits to lead a healthy lifestyle.

The Plan
The East Penn School District is developing a plan to integrate nutritional information into a childs education in 2 areas: 1. Curriculumnutritional information can be incorporated into the already existing health curriculum that every student grade 6-12 is required to take 2. Personal lifeby ensuring and enforcing healthy habits outside of school, children are surrounded by good choices 24/7, thus reinforcing the importance of good nutritional choices all the time.

NUTRITION & TODAYS YOUTH

Why is it important for families to also practice good nutrition?

Statistics prove that the habits children watch at home have a profound impact on the habits theyll develop as they grow and mature. In families who ate at least 3 meals together, children were 24% more likely to be eating healthier foods Making dinner time a family events is proven to give children a healthier and happier outlook on eating in general

Childhood Obesity
What is Obesity?
Obesity is defined as having excess body fat. Obesity is the result of a caloric imbalance, meaning that there are not enough calories burned for the amount thats consumed. Genetic, behavioral, and environmental factors can all contribute to obesity in an individual.

Statistics
In 2013, more than 1/3 of all children and adolescents in the United States were considered obese 70% of obese youth developed cardiovascular risks in their adulthood Childhood obesity has doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years People who suffer from obesity during their childhood are more likely to suffer from obesity as an adult as well, putting them at risk for serious health issues such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, sleep apnea, bone/joint complications, strokes, & osteoarthritis

Prevention
Practicing healthy lifestyle habits (healthy eating and physical activity) Healthy habits need to be enforced in every area of a persons life: home, work, school, etc. Schools play a critical role in developing healthy habits for children. Schools should have an environment that supports & assists with healthy habits