Fit Family Task Force Project - Rockford Public Schools

music from around the world are used with each unit so that students appreciate
the musical sounds that have evolved as cultural expressions in diverse regions
of the world. This promotes music appreciation as well as understanding of basic
rhythms and instruments.
The approach of FIE in introducing food and nutrition concepts is pleasure-
oriented rather than fear-based. Kids get “turned on” to experiencing health-
promoting foods they may not be familiar with, rather than “turned off” to
nutrition. FIE does not stigmatize students for their weight or size and promotes
positive body images. The skills students learn through FIE have direct practical
application, will enhance their life skills, improve their quality of life, and will
encourage an appreciation of people around the world and cultural diversity.
Study Design & Intervention
The specific aims of the Rockford Fit Families pilot study are to test the
hypothesis that positive classroom education about food, nutrition, and
agriculture along with parent/community education will increase dietary
acceptance of healthy foods and will build a wellness community environment
that will grow and become sustainable after three to five years with buy-in from
all of the key players so that the program becomes economically and
programmatically viable. Another hypothesis tested is that sensory-based
learning (engaging the senses) through hands-on experience with health
promoting foods will be learned easier by the students because it addresses
different learning styles that are not often engaged in a traditional academic
setting.
This study addresses the needs of low-income communities by utilizing a
curriculum that is fun, does not blame or shame people, but empowers them
through experiential education to learn to pleasures of delicious whole foods and
how they make one feel when consumed (students keep food journals) along