2009 Balancing Food And Play

BALANCING FOOD & PLAY Relevance Importance to County Nationally 19% of children 6 to 11 years are overweight. In Texas, 23% of fourth grade children are overweight. According to the Findings about the Obesity Epidemic in Texas by Texas State Demographer Karl Eschbach, PhD, in partnership with Texas Health Institute Montague County will have a 24% change rate from 2010-2040.The projected number of obese residents in 2010-3,794(24%),2020-4(25%),056, 2030-4,469(28.4%),20404,709(32.9%). Childhood overweight is associated with increase risk for diabetes, high blood pressure, and adult overweight/obesity. Role Education Can Play in Addressing Issue • MyPyramid for Kids, released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, describes a healthful diet and encourages physical activity for children ages 6 to11 years. • Some research suggests consumption of regular soda may be associated with decreased milk consumption and diet quality. • About 1/3 of Texas children do not get the recommended amount of 60 minutes of physical activity each day. Where Issue Was Identified The Montague County Health Board and Family Consumer Sciences Committee identified the need for nutritional programs to address childhood obesity. Target Audiences Nocona Elementary School third grade classroom Collaborators Heather Nobile-3rd grade teacher Justin Hansard-CEA-Ag Response The Balancing Food & Play curriculum was designed to improve knowledge and behaviors related to the following four educational constructs: • snacking on fruits and vegetables, • drinking milk with meals and water with snacks, • encouraging 60 minutes of physical activity each day, and • limiting screen time to two hours or less per day. The curriculum contained four elements: 20 lesson plans, 8 take-home reading assignments, 4 parent letters, and a 41 page journal for each student.

Improving Lives. Improving Texas.

Results: Mean Number Correct out of 7 Knowledge Questions Sample Students 67 2 N Pre-Survey .78 5 Post- Survey 79 •

Student knowledge gains were noted for all 7 knowledge questions.

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The percentage of students who correctly identified 60 minutes as the recommended amount of daily physical activity increased from 48% (32) to 97% (65).

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The percentage of students who correctly identified 2 hours as the recommended screen time limit increased from 24% (16) to 95% (64).

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The percentage of students who correctly identified nutrients increased from 36% (24) to 82% (55).

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The percentage of students who reported having more than 2 hours of screen time decreased from 31% (21) to 18% (12).

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The percentage of students who reported having one hour or more of physical activity increased from 48% (32) to 85% (56). Student Comments

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I learned that we need less than two hours of screen time and at least 60 minutes of physical activity.

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My family started eating more fruits and vegetables.

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I never knew how much sugar was in a can of coke.

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My family is eating healthier and trying new foods.

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I’ve started drinking milk with my meals and water with my snacks.

For more information contact:

Elsie M. Lacy PO Box 136 Montague, TX 76251 Tel. 940-894-2831 Fax. 940-8942001 [email protected]

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