Monroe school children have some Olympic-sized motivation to get fit.
Wisconsin Olympians Suzy Favor Hamilton and Casey FitzRandolph visited Monroe Middle and Parkside Elementary schools yesterday to kick off the Movin' and Munchin' program, a statewide initiative designed to promote healthy eating and fitness in children, families and school staff. A $35,000 grant from Monroe Clinic is helping bring the program to Monroe public schools as well as St. Victor School.
Throughout the program, students will earn "miles," or points, based on physical activity - whether it's participating in an organized sporting event, mowing the lawn or playing kick the can with neighborhood friends.
The program takes getting fit a step further by rewarding good nutrition as well: Students can earn points for choosing a fruit or vegetable snack or including three servings of low-fat dairy per day, for example.
School children will tally their points earned throughout the program, with a chance to win prizes such as a day pass to the Monroe pool or Green County Family YMCA - rewarding healthy choices with the opportunity to continue an active lifestyle.
The program's list of point-worthy choices also serves as an eye-opener for adults. Students can earn points for eating breakfast, abstaining from fast food and soft drinks, and even eating a meal as a family without the television on. That says volumes about how we have allowed unhealthy habits to become the norm within our families.
And our children are suffering as a result: Statistics show as many as 30 percent of Wisconsin's school-age children are overweight or obese. These children face a greater likelihood of a lifetime of chronic health conditions associated with being overweight.
It begs the question: What are we doing to our kids?
The Movin' and Munchin' program gives students information and inspiration to make healthy choices. It's a great complement to changes the Monroe school district has already taken to encourage healthy eating habits by using whole grains and lowfat options in school lunches.
But our schools can only do so much to encourage a fit lifestyle: Ultimately, it's up to us, as adults, to set the example by turning off the TV, getting active and serving wholesome foods.
Wisconsin Olympians Suzy Favor Hamilton and Casey FitzRandolph visited Monroe Middle and Parkside Elementary schools yesterday to kick off the Movin' and Munchin' program, a statewide initiative designed to promote healthy eating and fitness in children, families and school staff. A $35,000 grant from Monroe Clinic is helping bring the program to Monroe public schools as well as St. Victor School.
Throughout the program, students will earn "miles," or points, based on physical activity - whether it's participating in an organized sporting event, mowing the lawn or playing kick the can with neighborhood friends.
The program takes getting fit a step further by rewarding good nutrition as well: Students can earn points for choosing a fruit or vegetable snack or including three servings of low-fat dairy per day, for example.
School children will tally their points earned throughout the program, with a chance to win prizes such as a day pass to the Monroe pool or Green County Family YMCA - rewarding healthy choices with the opportunity to continue an active lifestyle.
The program's list of point-worthy choices also serves as an eye-opener for adults. Students can earn points for eating breakfast, abstaining from fast food and soft drinks, and even eating a meal as a family without the television on. That says volumes about how we have allowed unhealthy habits to become the norm within our families.
And our children are suffering as a result: Statistics show as many as 30 percent of Wisconsin's school-age children are overweight or obese. These children face a greater likelihood of a lifetime of chronic health conditions associated with being overweight.
It begs the question: What are we doing to our kids?
The Movin' and Munchin' program gives students information and inspiration to make healthy choices. It's a great complement to changes the Monroe school district has already taken to encourage healthy eating habits by using whole grains and lowfat options in school lunches.
But our schools can only do so much to encourage a fit lifestyle: Ultimately, it's up to us, as adults, to set the example by turning off the TV, getting active and serving wholesome foods.
