As we continue our month long series on kids fitness, NY1’s Bronx reporter Erin Clarke filed this story on teaching kids how to serve up healthier food options.
Students at PS 100 in the Bronx cannot wait for the school day to end because that means they'll be playing Tennis.
They're enjoying themselves so much that this does not seem like exercise, but of course it is.
"When kids are active, they're moving, warming up in the proper ways and they're spending an hour or two every day getting fit and having fun doing it, then that all contributes to a very healthy body," said Deborah Antoine, president and CEO, of New York Junior Tennis and Learning(NYJTL).
The mission of the NYJTL is to serve young people through tennis instruction, play and educational services.
NYJTL recently partnered with Emblem Health to bring a healthy living initiative to 18 public elementary schools. It uses tennis to address health and wellness issues threatening city students.
There is even a nutritional component to the program where children learn about healthy eating options and receive shopping and recipe cards to take home called “Bodega Buddy” cards. These Bodega Buddy cards slip on a book bag and are visual reminders of the right kinds of foods to buy, even in neighborhoods where there are not many traditional grocery stores.
"What we want to show the kids is, yes, you may see the sweets once you enter but do not let that phase you. You have your buddy clip. Use it and look on the aisles, in the back for the healthy stuff," said Mary Joan Fouquet, assistant site director, PS 100.
"When I go to the store, I usually check it on my book bag so I could stay healthy," said Justin Gotay, 10.
"Before I didn't know that you had to eat healthy, but when I found out I told my mom that we could eat like some fruit salads," said another student Michael Figueroa, 10.
Students use what they have learned through the program to prepare snacks for themselves, like frozen yogurt parfaits and trail mix, or help their parents make meals at home. Developing healthy habits early on that will serve kids well as they grow up.
During the month of February, Time Warner Cable News is committed to informing our viewers of the sometimes alarming trends facing our kids' health as well as provide helpful tips for busy parents. Get more information on Fit Kids February, including the Fit Kids Challenge, healthy shopping suggestions and ways you can get involved to help make you and your children healthier!