Fit Family Task Force Project - Rockford Public Schools

Better food choices and physical activity are often cited as two major solution
areas to the health concerns facing our youth. Food choice especially, is a
complex issue that is bound with culture, family, income level, public policy, and
industry input. Since schools already play a substantial role in providing food to
students and their mission is to educate, they are the ideal place to initiate a
positive food, nutrition, and health education program.
Food Is Elementary as a Solution
Children are growing up in an increasingly complex world where most of them
are detached from food production. There are thousands of items on grocery
store shelves that did not even exist 50 years ago. Most of these items are
processed with added chemicals and few health-promoting nutrients. The FIE
curriculum teaches students about healthy foods from around the world and the
impact they have on our minds and bodies.
This project provides a school-based, whole-community approach to the problem
of student health, behavior, and academic achievement in Rockford, Illinois. The
strategy is to promote healthful eating habits and physical activity among at-risk
children and involves parents, teachers, school administrators, foodservice
personnel, health and educational professionals, and community members.
Students are taught how to prevent the development of chronic diet-related
diseases through lifestyle choices.
Proper nutrition promotes better learning and behavior and there are numerous
studies that demonstrate the effect a nutritious breakfast has on learning. 20 It is
critical that children understand the relationship between what they eat and how
they feel and think. The FIE curriculum introduces children to health-promoting
foods in a way that is enjoyable and coordinated with the academic disciplines so
that learning in all areas is enhanced and supported in practical ways that can be
20 http://www.fns.usda.gov/oane/MENU/Published/CNP/CNP.HTM