Eat Well, Play Hard

“Eat Well, Play Hard” is a multi-faceted program that promotes healthy nutrition and physical activity practices in children. It targets elementary age children and their families. Using the “Eat Well, Play Hard” theme, with permission of the New York State Health Department, the program utilizes a variety of materials and activities to provide children with consistent and positive messages about nutrition and physical activity. Innovative approaches have included the utilization of healthful snacks for children at an after-school recreation department program and the provision of incentives (jump ropes, Frisbees, water bottles) for the completion of food diaries by elementary age children.

The goals of this program are to increase developmentally appropriate physical activity, to increase the consumption of fruit and vegetables by children, and to increase the consumption of low-fat milk products and calcium-rich foods. The long-range goal is to incorporate this theme into the life of Lorain County children through collaboration with schools, agencies and facilities that provide services and activities for children and their families.

The program has reached members of the target audience through elementary school and recreation department programs. One fast food chain has been willing to add fresh whole fruit as a dessert choice in one site frequented by school age children. There has been some progress in encouraging teachers and room mothers to incorporate healthy choices into elementary classroom parties. The staff registered dietician has worked with schools to make “small step” changes such as the replacement of whole with 2% milk in a cafeteria program and presentation of a Healthy Snack Tasting as part of a school field day.