J19 — May 2009 — Healthier Kids

Intro: The statistics are alarming. Two-thirds of the adults in the U.S. are overweight and one-half of that group is considered obese. Every year those numbers get bigger. But it's not just adults who are tipping the scales, kids are gaining weight, too. One-third of all school-age children are overweight and when bad habits start early, they're hard to break. A nursing group from Mayo Clinic wants to change that. They're working with public schools, nursing students and parents to help kids get and stay healthier.

"APPLES. ARE A FRUIT YOU CAN EAT..."

THESE 4TH GRADERS ARE GETTING A FUN LESSON IN HEALTHY LIVING.

"HOPPING..."

THEIR SONG AND DANCE IS PART OF A MAYO CLINIC COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP AND STUDY DESIGNED TO HELP KIDS DEVELOP HEALTHY HABITS EARLY.

"IT REALLY DOES TAKE A VILLAGE, OR A WHOLE GROUP OF US IN A COMMUNITY TO COME TOGETHER TO LOOK AT; HOW CAN WE SHAPE HEALTHIER HABITS FOR LIFE? AND HOW CAN WE HELP SUPPORT PARENTS ON THEIR JOURNEY OF RAISING CHILDREN?"

"5-2-1-0."

NURSE RESEARCHER DR. SHARON TUCKER SAYS THE STUDY GETS KIDS AND THEIR FAMILIES FOCUSED ON FOUR GOALS DEVELOPED BY CLINICIANS AND RESEARCHERS IN MAINE. THE 5-2-1-0 PLAN.

"THE FIVE IS FIVE SERVINGS OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES A DAY. THE TWO IS NO MORE THAN TWO HOURS OF TV OR COMPUTER A DAY."

"ONE HOUR OF EXERCISE OR MORE. AND 0 STANDS FOR ZERO SUGAR DINKS."

THE PROGRAM INCLUDES TIPS ON HOW TO FIT THESE GOALS, ONE AT A TIME, INTO REAL LIFE.

"FOR EXAMPLE TO KEEP TRACK OF GETTING IN 5 FRUITS AND VEGGIES, THE KIDS WEAR BRACELETS. AND EVERY TIME THEY EAT A SERVING, THEY TAKE A BRACELET OFF AND PUT IT ON THE OTHER ARM."

"I LOVE PEARS AND APPLES."

STUDENT NURSES HELP KEEP THE KIDS MOTIVATED.

"HOW HAS YOUR GROUP BEEN DOING WITH YOUR CHOICES AT HOME?"

"I'M LEARNING NOT TO WATCH SO MUCH TV AND EAT MORE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES." RESEARCH SHOWS THAT IF CHILDREN DEVELOP HEALTHY HABITS WHILE THEY'RE YOUNG, THEY'RE MORE LIKELY TO MAINTAIN THOSE HABITS AS HEALTHY ADULTS.

FOR MEDICAL EDGE, I'M VIVIEN WILLIAMS.

Anchor tag:The program also includes time for parents to get involved and learn how to bring healthy habits into their homes.

Dr. Tucker says in addition to teaching kids about the 5-2-1-0 plan, the project also keeps track of the kids' heights and weights, healthy habit ratings and physical activity levels. She hopes the study will prove that the program does help kids develop and keep healthy habits for life.

Dr. Tucker's research is funded by the Robert Woods Johnson Executive Nursing Fellows program, and matched by funds from Mayo Clinic.

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