Nutrition
and Fitness Links
Nutrition Links for Students and Teachers
1.
"Dole Five-a-Day"
http://www.5aday.com
Although this is a commercial website, its purpose is to persuade kids to eat
five servings per day of fruits and vegetables. It contains nutritional
information, downloadable songs about fruits and vegetables that can be burned
to compact discs (the one about broccoli is my favorite), facts, games, and
lesson plans for teachers.
2.
"USDA's Team Nutrition"
http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/
This site has a good number of resources put together by the federal government
to help educators promote nutrition to students of all ages. There are
downloadable resources available, as well as a component for students that has
facts, games, and links.
3.
"Knowledge Path: Obesity in Children and Adolescents"
http://mchlibrary.info/KnowledgePaths/kp_obesity.html
Information about management and treatment of obesity in children. There is an
abundance of data as well as links to resources such as body mass index charts.
Some of the links point to recommendations for treatment of the epidemic.
4.
"KidsHealth for Parents: Nutrition and Fitness"
http://kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition_fit/
Parents will find informational articles offering advice on everything from
getting sedentary kids to exercise to persuading picky eaters eat foods that
are good for them. Teachers can refer parents to this website as a means of
offering information when necessary.
5.
"keepkidshealthy.com"
http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/nutrition/
A very thorough website that provides quite a bit of information about
children's nutrition. Parents will find articles such as "getting kids to eat
fruits and veggies," "white vs. wheat bread," and "kids and breakfast." There
is a weight management guide and children's growth charts.
1.
"Kidnetic"
http://www.kidnetic.com
A student-geared site emphasizing physical activities and fitness.
There are lots of online games and simulations that are designed to get
students out of their chairs and moving around. I enjoyed using the "Move+Mixer
Dance Creation Tool" and was quite out-of-breath after going through a
Jazzercize-type routine. These are definitely not typical video games.
2.
"Girl Power! Sports and Fitness"
http://www.girlpower.gov/girlarea/sports/index.htm
Links about games and sports of all types are provided on this website geared
toward the pre-teen and teenage girl. Other links on this government-sponsored
website give advice to girls on a variety of health-related issues. This was
the only website I found that was targeted exclusively to girls.
3.
"BAM! Body and Mind"
http://www.bam.gov
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) sponsors this website about
mental and physical health, designed for children between nine and 13 years
old. According to the website's developers, BAM! "gives kids the information
they need to help them make healthy lifestyle choices." Children can take an
"exercise personality quiz," create an activity calendar, or find out ways to
cope with stress.
4.
"Ask NOAH About: Physical Fitness and Health"
http://www.noah-health.org/english/wellness/healthyliving/exercise.html
This website is from New York Online Access to Health,
but the information about physical fitness can apply to people from any
location. This site links to articles about exercise and children as well as
sports and specific exercise methods. There are dozens of links relating to
various physical activities and sports.
5.
"The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports"
http://www.fitness.gov/funfit/funfit.html
Another website targeting kids and encouraging them to be physically fit and
active. Children are encouraged to try the President's Challenge Youth Physical
Fitness Program and the Presidential Sports Award. Public Service Announcements
(PSA's) from the Ad Council showing "life without physical fitness" can be
downloaded and viewed.