Iowa State University Extension

Problem:
The Healthy Choices for Healthy Bodies Program is available to area schools with 50% or more free and reduced lunches. This year one additional school district qualified for the nutrition program bringing the number to five school districts. The economic situation has placed an additional burden on family budgets this year.

Response:
The Healthy Choices for Healthy Bodies program has provided five school districts (Bedford, Clearfield, Diagonal, Lenox, and Villisca) with a nutrition education for their elementary students. This sequenced program provided six lessons to youth in kindergarten through sixth grade. The program helped youth develop lifelong habits by giving them information about food choices, safe food handling, physical activity, and overall health. Students were encouraged to take the information that they learned in class and share it with their families at home.

Impact:
623 youth participated in Healthy Choices for Healthy Bodies this year. This year we made more of a nutritional impact.

After receiving these lessons, students increased their knowledge:
• 71.8% of third graders self reported that an easy way to get the calcium they need to grow bone and teeth is to eat foods in the milk group, an increase of 26.8% from the beginning of the lessons
• 82.1% of third graders self reported that they could include all of the food groups in their lunch, an increase of 32.9%
• 62.8% of fourth graders self reported that a fruit salad made with citrus fruit would be highest in Vitamin C, an increase of 25.8%
• 93.4 % of fourth graders self reported that they select a healthy snack choice, an increase in 18 %
• 66.5% of fifth and sixth graders self reported that they should select more foods low in fats and sugar in the base of MyPyramid, an increase of 25.5%

Student reported the following behavior changes:
• 53.9% of the third graders and 45.6% of the fourth graders self reported that they almost always ate foods from the milk group 3 times a day, an increase of 10% and 9.3% respectively from the beginning of the lessons
• 80.9% of the third graders self reported that they almost always were physically active every day, an increase of 1.1 %
• 89% or more of kindergarteners through second graders tasted a variety of fruits when offered during food tasting experiences

Contact:
Kim Brantner
Taylor County Extension Education Director
609 Pollock Blvd., Bedford, IA 50833
712-523-2137