The Creating Healthy Bodies Campaign is a district wide health program for all elementary schools in Loudoun County Virginia and will focus on two groups, students and parents. The aim is to educate students and parents about the benefits of eating a healthier diet, including more fruits and vegetables. The ultimate purpose of the program is to reduce the childhood obesity epidemic that is affecting the health of our youth population.
Educating students will involve nutritional information that will be taught in their health and physical education class, which will be woven into the existing curriculum. The lessons will consist of 10 minute-mini lessons that will be taught throughout the school year by trained teachers.
The program will also focus on providing after school sessions for parents, which will teach them about the importance of their children consuming the recommended daily allowance for vitamins and minerals. The sessions will be conducted by volunteer teachers and/or school teachers who have been trained by the school district’s wellness coordinator to provide strategies focused on getting school aged children to consume the proper amount of fruits and vegetables.
Reflection:
The benefits of implementing the Creating Healthy Bodies Campaign benefits LCPS District in terms of having healthy, happy, thriving students. The ultimate goal of any school district is the promotion of health, well-being, safety, and success of their students. Unhealthy lifestyle habits, including inactivity and consumption of unhealthy foods, are contributing to the obesity epidemic that is effecting out nation’s youth. School districts should make every effort to help increase student knowledge about healthy behaviors as well as provide guidance as to how to make successful changes.