(image: young girl in soccer uniform)

Mission:

To effectively communicate science-based information on health, nutrition, and food safety for the public good.

Primarily supported by the broad-based food, beverage and agricultural industries.

• Review research findings about what kids and parents think about health, nutrition, and physical activity
• Introduce fun resources to use with kids to help them be more healthy
• Look at health from a kid's point of view!

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A Complex Issue

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• Understand how kids and parents think and feel about food, physical activity, and health.
• What messages will effectively reach them?
• How should these messages be delivered?

* J Am Diet Assoc. 2003;103:721-728

• Weight/health is related to performance and appearance—not long-term health benefits
  • More friends, "fit in"
  • Wear cool clothes
  • Can make the team
• Don't sustain interest in concepts like "nutrition" and "healthy eating"
• Want parental guidance, encouragement and emotional support
• Kids need information that is "fun" & "cool"

(image: photo of children)

• Overweight not seen as a health issue
• Fear of upsetting kids with fragile self-esteem
• Lack information and skills to address issue with kids
• Not necessarily good role models
• Parents need information that is "credible" and "easy to use"

(image: photo of parents and family pet dog)

Six leading health, food and science organizations:

• American Academy of Family Physicians
• American College of Sports Medicine
• American Dietetic Association
• International Food Information Council Foundation
• International Life Sciences Institute Center for Health Promotion
• National Recreation and Park Association

Keith Ayoob, EdD, RD, FADA	Albert Einstein School of Medicine	Nutrition and Family Dynamics
Bill Kohl, PhD	Centers for Disease Control and Prevention	Physical Activity and Nutrition
Ellen O'Sullivan, MS, PhD	Southern Connecticut State University	Recreation and Community Outreach
Russ Pate, MS, PhD	University of South Carolina	Physical Activity and Sports Medicine
David Schultz, PhD, MDiv	University of Maryland-Baltimore	Child Psychology and Behavioral Science
Timothy Tobolic, MD	American Academy of Family Physicians	Family Medicine
Meg Zeller, PhD	Children's Hospital Health Center, Cincinnati	Child Psychology and Behavioral Science

(image: table of Advisors)

• The Coca-Cola Company
• Hershey Foods Corporation
• H.J. Heinz Foundation
• Keebler Company
• Kellogg Company
• Kraft Foods
• Masterfoods USA
• McDonald's Corporation
• National Confectioners Association
• The Procter & Gamble Company
• PepsiCo, Inc.
• Sara Lee Corporation
• Snack Food Association

www.kidnetic.com

(image: screenshot of Kidnetic home page)

www.kidnetic.com

(image: screenshot of another Kidnetic physical activity web page)

www.kidnetic.com

(image: screenshot of Kidnetic Food/Recipes page)

www.kidnetic.com

(image: screenshot of Kidnetic's Parent's Page)

(image: Kidnetic.com Leaders Guide cover)

• Activity Section
  • 13 complete activity modules
    • Food
    • Fitness
    • Fun
    • Feelings
    • Family
• General Information
  • resources & links
• Evaluation Section
  • pre-and post-tests

• Module Goals
• Quick Start Ideas
• Activity Action Plan
  • Talking points/discussion questions
  • Hands-on activities
  • Family-friendly activity
  • Bright Papers
• Resources

• Over 50 pilot programs implemented in various settings:
  • NRPA after-school programs
  • YMCA summer programs
  • Holiday camps
  • School classrooms

(image: photo of kids in after-school program)

(image: photo of kids learning to cook)

(image: photo of kids eating vegetables)

(image: photo of child studying food label)

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Positive changes in knowledge and attitudes occurred in the following areas:

• Eating five fruits and vegetables everyday
• Snacking only when hungry, not when bored
• Spending more time playing outside or doing other things then watching TV
• Reading labels on food items to check the serving size
• Paying attention to portion size to keep from overeating

Source: "Check Your Health" pre and post tests, NRPA pilot programs, 2005

Features USDA's MyPyramid for Kids

• Updated to include MyPyramid for Kids!
• More hands-on activities
• More physical activity components
• Family modules include parental involvement in lessons and activities

(image: cover of new Kidnetic Leader's Guide)

Ideas and tips to help parents:

• Become better role models
• Engage the whole family in physical activity together
• Make healthier food choices
• Manage portion size
• Balance food and physical activity

(image: cover of Kidnetic Parent's Guide)

• Be positive—tell them what they can do, not what they can't
• Think beyond organized sports with "fun" activities instead
• Put "nutrition" in kid-terms – make healthy food fun
• Allow kids to do hands-on activities
• Think prevention, not treatment—starting early to build lifelong habits
• MAKE IT FUN!!!

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Thank You

For additional information contact:

Laura W. Hatch, MPH, CHES
IFIC Foundation
1100 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Suite 430
Washington, DC 20036
202-296-6540
hatch@ific.org

(image: Kdnetic.com logo)