Nutrition and Wellness

Childhood Fitness | Safe Routes to School |Healthy School Environments | Healthy School Action Tool | Ottawa County Food Council | MI Healthy Communities | Resources

Childhood Fitness – “Fit for A Kid”

Ottawa County, like the rest of the nation, is faced with the challenge of reducing rates of obesity among children. Overweight children and adolescents are at risk for health problems during their youth and as adults. Studies have shown that overweight youth are more likely to become obese as adults. In addition, overweight youth are at greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes.

The Health Department is committed to reducing childhood obesity with the “Fit for a Kid” project. The project includes Body Mass Index measurement projects and a series of educational handouts and resources.

Body Mass Index Measurement Projects

Although it was suspected that local childhood obesity rates would follow national trends, until 2005, there was no information to verify this. The health department measured the body mass index of elementary school aged children in Ottawa County. The most recent study found that 9% of the sampled students were classified as obese and 14% were classified as overweight.

Measuring Body Mass Index

Are you wondering about your child’s weight status? One of the best places to find out if your child is obese or at risk for becoming obese is your family doctor. Ask for a Body Mass Index Screening at your child's next check-up. Your doctor can help you examine Body Mass Index (BMI) scores, family risk factors, and lifestyle to determine if your child is at risk. You can also use the BMI Calculator to determine your child's BMI.

Handouts & Resources

Even if your child is not overweight or obese, it is important to encourage healthy eating and activity in every child. The handouts below offer tips to build healthy habits that will last a lifetime.

Safe Routes to School

Safe Routes to School teaches children to build physical activity in to their day by encouraging all children, including those with disabilities, to walk, bike, and roll to school. Walking and biking to school have declined significantly over the last several decades with more students riding on the bus or in an automobile. When children participate in regular physical activity, the risk for chronic disease is reduced and academic performance can be enhanced. According to the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, youth need an hour of physical activity a day. Regular walking and biking to school increases daily physical activity levels of children and builds healthier communities. For more information about the Ottawa County Health Department's Safe Routes to School initiatives contact Kim Kooyers at 616-393-5799. Learn more about the statewide program at http://saferoutesmichigan.org/

Healthy School Environments

Health educators are available to help schools implement policies and environmental changes that make healthy choices easy to make. Health educators can provide resources and education for staff, students, and parents (including parent groups, PTAs, etc) on many topics, including:

  • Ideas for Healthy Celebrations
  • Healthy Fund-raising
  • Non-food rewards
  • Healthy Snacks
  • Brain Breaks

Contact Lisa Uganski, RD at (616) 393-5770 for more information.

Healthy School Action Tool (HSAT)

The Healthy School Action Tools are online instruments to help Michigan schools create healthier environments. Schools that provide support healthy choices help students achieve their academic potential.

The HSAT assessment consists of questions which apply to topic areas including:

  • Asthma management
  • Healthy eating & nutrition
  • Physical education & physical activity
  • Tobacco-free lifestyles
  • Violence and Injury Prevention

Health educators are available to assist all Ottawa County schools in improving their school health environment. If you are interested in assessing your school’s health environment and would like assistance from an Ottawa County Health Educator, please Contact Lisa Uganski, RD at (616) 393-5770.

Ottawa County Food Council

The Ottawa County Food Council (OCFC) is a group of local stakeholders working to assure low-income residents’ access to healthy food. The OCFC completed a Food Insecurity Needs Assessment in 2011, and will develop and begin implementing a Strategic Plan in 2012. For more information or to join the OCFC, contact Lisa Uganski at (616) 393-5770.

MI Healthy Communities

The Ottawa County Health Department has been improving the health of our residents through its partnership with MI Healthy Communities. The primary goal of the program is to reduce chronic diseases by increasing physical activity, healthy eating and tobacco-free environments. The MI Healthy Communities Program partners with local health departments and state organizations to implement policy, environmental, and system changes. In Ottawa County, this program has provided funding to assist with many initiatives, including:
  • the development of numerous non-motorized pathways and community gardens
  • improvements at four parks
  • Safe Routes to School and Complete Streets programs
  • a variety of nutrition education programs

For more information about MI Healthy Communities and their current programs, visit http://www.mihealthtools.org/mihc/.

Resources

www.healthykidshealthyfuture.org
Let’s Move! Childcare is about helping to prevent early childhood obesity.

www.wholefamilyottawa.com
Whole Family Connection is a free, anonymous, on-line information and referral system to help you identify your needs and link you to services.

www.wm-alliance.org/parks_recreation.php
The site lists more than 123,000 acres of parks, trails, and other recreation areas located within the eight-county region that includes Allegan, Barry, Kent, Ionia, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, and Ottawa counties.

www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org
Information about fruit and vegetables. Including ideas and healthy recipes to ensure fruits and vegetables are included in your meal plan.

www.choosemyplate.gov
Offers personalized eating plans and interactive tools to help you plan/ assess your food choices based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

www.actionforhealthykids.org
Action for Healthy Kids is a nationwide initiative dedicated to improving the health and educational performance of children through better nutrition and physical activity in schools.

www.letsmove.gov
America’s Move to Raise a Healthier Generation of Kids.

wecan.nhlbi.nih.gov
We Can! (Ways to Enhance Children's Activity & Nutrition) is a national movement designed to give parents, caregivers, and entire communities a way to help children 8 to 13 years old stay at a healthy weight.

www.greatstartshere.org
Great Start of Ottawa County works with families and communities to identify needs, maintain resources and creatively seek solutions to existing gaps for families with young children. The site offers parents a means to find child care and offers child care providers information about training.

www.outdoordiscoverycenter.org
Help your children get connected with nature at Outdoor Discovery Center- The No Child Left Inside Initiative.

www.mayoclinic.com/health/healthy-recipes/RecipeIndex
Offers hundreds of healthy recipes.