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MyPyramid for Preschoolers

MyPyramid for Preschoolers is now available (children ages 2-5 years)! Click on this link http://www.mypyramid.gov/preschoolers/index.html  to go to the United States Department of Agriculture website and customize a MyPyramid for PReschoolers for your own 2-5 year old! This is a great tool for parents to help their children develop healthy eating habits, be active, and be healthy.

The ABC’s for a Healthy School
Source: http://lancaster.unl.edu/food/mypyramid.shtml

What are children eating today?

• More than 60% of children and adolescents eat too much fat and saturated fat and not enough fruits and vegetables
• Only 39% of children eat enough fiber (found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes).
• 85% of adolescent females do not consume enough calcium. (3 cups of skim or low-fat milk or its equivalent is needed for the development of healthy bones and teeth.)
• During the past 25 years:
   At the same time…
              -Milk intake decreased 1/3 among adolescent girls.
              -Soft drink intake almost doubled among adolescent girls, from 6 to 11 oz.
              -Soft drink intake almost tripled among adolescent boys, from 7 to 19 oz.
  Note: The average sugar in one 12-ounce non-diet soft drink
  (10 teaspoons).  Calories: 150

• 18-20% of calories consumed by children and adolescents come from added sugars.

What are the effects of poor eating habits?

• Overweight children and teens are more likely to become overweight and obese adults with increased risk of :

• Diabetes
• Heart Disease
• High blood pressure
• Bone and joint problems (example: osteoporosis)
• Some type of cancer
• Gallbladder disease

• Overweight children are more likely to experience discrimination and low self-esteem.
• Too many young people are adopting unsafe or harmful weight loss practices.
• Poor eating habits can contribute to dental caries, which remains a major cause of school absences.

“For the first time in this country’s history, health experts question if this generation of children will be the first to lead shorter lives.”  More ...

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Other Links

• 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (www.healthierus.gov/dietaryguidelines)
• MyPyramid.gov (www.MyPyramid.gov)