National Spotlight on Nutrition Education

Many things happen in March. Spring Break. March Madness. Spring Equinox. St. Patrick’s Day. It is also the month of the American Diabetes Association’s annual campaign, National Nutrition Month©.  For 2011, the theme is “Eat Right with Color” and focuses on how the nutritional value of food can be indicated by their naturally bright pigments.  Green broccoli, red bell pepper, purple egg plant, yellow banana, just to name a few!

Here at America SCORES Dallas, we celebrate healthy lifestyles everyday in the classroom and out on the soccer field.  We educate, lead by example, and make fun games around eating healthy and participating in physical activities.  Last week at Maple Lawn Elementary, the girls’ soccer team played “Red Light, Green Light,” a game based on identifying healthy foods (a green light to dribble forward) and unhealthy foods (a red light to stop dribbling). This type of health education is pivotal for the children we serve, who all live in low-income and minority neighborhoods. These children face a number of barriers to eating healthy, participating in physical activities, and gaining knowledge of healthy habits, yet they consistently have deficient education and support from the school district.

 

As the nation observes nutrition education awareness this month, America SCORES Dallas celebrates our students' progress toward healthier lives every day.

Check out the campaign's nutrition education games and quizzes!