Nebraska Extension is combating childhood obesity across the state by implementing programs to improve healthy eating and physical activity patterns in youth.
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LINCOLN – Nebraska Extension is combating childhood obesity across the state by implementing programs to improve healthy eating and physical activity patterns in youth.
Extension professionals focused on food, nutrition and health from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program, 4-H and The Learning Child are teaming up to create healthier home, school and community environments to make healthy choices more desirable.
“There is a critical need to reduce childhood overweight and obesity rates by encouraging healthy habits,” said Kayla Colgrove, extension educator. “Extension programming not only improves eating patterns and increases physical activity in youth, but it also helps create those environments that support healthier living.”
Through statewide programming and dynamic partnerships, extension team members reached over 63,000 Nebraskans with programs focused on healthy habits in 2016. The programs are designed to teach children and youth how to choose healthy food and beverages, how to prepare food safely, fun ways to be active, alternatives to screen time and more.
Nebraska Extension is also focused on helping to create a healthy environment in Nebraska schools. Recently, a collaboration between extension, Tri County Public Schools, the Nebraska Department of Education’s Team Nutrition and several local businesses culminated in a farmers market at the school. During the lunch hour, nearly 400 students were able to sample a variety of locally grown food, including vegetables from the school’s new hydroponic garden system.