FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Wendy Sellers
Comprehensive Health Coordinator
517-541-8768
Fax: 517-543-4870

Nutrition and Physical Activity

In the face of rising obesity among adults, it is important for everyone to have the knowledge and skills to make healthy nutrition and physical activity choices. Obesity is related to many chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancer. Unfortunately, obesity and diabetes are also on the rise among children and youth. One way to prevent lifelong habits that result in unhealthy weight and chronic disease is to teach all students about nutrition and physical activity.

The Michigan Model for Health includes lessons on nutrition and physical activity for students in kindergarten through grade 12. Nutrition and physical activity lessons for elementary students emphasize eating a variety of nutritious foods from the five food groups. Nutrition and physical activity lessons for middle and high school students help them develop critical thinking skills for making healthy choices in their behavior.

Another way Eaton ISD is encouraging students to improve their nutrition and increase their physical activity is by offering the SPLASH program. SPLASH stands for Shaping Positive Lifestyles and Attitudes through School Health. It is a federal program that is available to any schools with 50% or greater free or reduced lunch counts. It provides support for schools to teach the Michigan Model for Health and the Exemplary Physical Activity Curriculum (EPEC). In addition, it supplies resources for students and families to choose the most nutritious foods in place of high calorie, low nutrient options.

To find out what nutrition and physical activity behaviors the students in your county are engaged in, look up the Michigan Profiles for Healthy Youth (MiPHY) data for your county.

The following resources can help you address the nutrition and physical activity needs of the children and youth in your life.

Nutrition Resources:

• MyPyramid.gov

• Michigan Department of Education nutrition website

• Healthy Kids Healthy Weight is available in English and Spanish

Physical Activity Resources:

• Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans

• Every Body Is Good

• Brain Breaks

Michigan State Board of Education Policies:

• Michigan State Board of Education Policy on Offering Healthy Food and Beverages In Venues Outside of the Federally Regulated Child Nutrition Programs

• Michigan State Board of Education Policy on Quality Physical Education

• Michigan State Board of Education Model Local Wellness Policy