The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #68083

Jean M. Altman, MS, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 1014, Alexandria, VA 22302, 703-305-2559, jean.altman@fns.usda.gov and Judy Wilson, RD, MSPH, US Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 1014, Alexandria, VA 22302.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) web site provides nutrition educators with direct access to current resources to promote healthy eating and activity to youth and their caregivers. The web site is a component of the USDA Eat Smart. Play Hard.^TM Campaign and a key part of President Bush’s Healthier US initiative. The Campaign is designed to promote positive changes in eating and physical activity behaviors of preschool and school-aged children and their caregivers in order to improve long-term health. The site links nutrition service providers with a variety of resources. These resources include posters, activity sheets for kids, parent brochures, posters, stickers, guidance materials, and a Power Panther^TM spokescharacter costume. The recently enhanced site allows a larger number of users greater access to these resources. The site contains an order form to obtain materials, but most of the materials can be downloaded. Nutrition educators can modify and use the Power Panther^TM clip art to make nutrition education exciting for kids. Drop-In Articles can be accessed and customized for local use. Ideas are given on how to integrate nutrition and physical activity messages into nutrition education efforts. A Tip Sheet provides nutrition and physical activity messages that can be incorporated into promotional materials. The photo gallery showcases events at schools, communities, conferences, and special events across the country and can spark new ideas. At the conclusion of the session, the participants will be able to identify materials and resources available on the web site.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the session, the participants will be able to identify materials and resources available on the web site.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.