Nutrition Education Partnership Between National Education Association Health Information Network and Nestle in the U.S.

CHICAGO, June 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Education Association Health Information Network (NEA HIN) has partnered with Nestle in the United States to expand its nutrition and physical activity education resources for educators.  The program, Healthy Steps for Healthy Lives, provides free instructional materials that support educators' efforts to teach students in grades K-3 about being healthy.  Healthy Steps for Healthy Lives will be released during the 2011 NEA Annual Meeting and Representative Assembly in Chicago, June 30 – July 2.

"The childhood obesity crisis in America is well documented.  Educators can empower children by teaching them about the importance of nutrition and physical activity.  Through the Healthy Steps for Healthy Lives program, hands-on materials that encourage healthy habits are available for classroom use," said Jerald Newberry, Executive Director, NEA Health Information Network. "This partnership has allowed us to tap Nestle's wealth of nutrition expertise and well-established nutrition-education credentials to create fantastic, fun and free tools for educators."  

Grouped into three themes – THINK healthy, EAT healthy and MOVE healthy – the Healthy Steps for Healthy Lives learning activities address a variety of learning styles and skill sets.  The materials incorporate feedback from educators who tested the activities in focus groups and pilot programs in three U.S. schools. The program also helps educators incorporate the revised 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and health education curriculum standards into their lessons.

"Healthy living begins by making smart, informed decisions," said Chavanne Hanson, MPH, RD, LD and Wellness Champion for Nestle USA. "By joining forces with the NEA HIN, we have taken our passion for nutrition, health and wellness and developed a versatile instructional resource that can help students and their families understand the vital role of nutrition and physical activity in overall well-being."

The 31 lessons cover a variety of subjects from Health, Math and Science to English Language Arts and Social Studies. The "My Very Best Day" THINK healthy activity, for example, asks student groups to plan a healthy day full of nutritious meals and physical activity, while emphasizing the importance of eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein. The "Compass Quest" MOVE healthy activity focuses on the importance of hydration through an interactive group discussion.

Additional components include student activity sheets, take-home activities, food cards and activity cards to complement the instruction. To further meet educators' needs, a nutritional and physical activity backgrounder and charts demonstrating how the activities meet national curriculum standards are available. Each activity also features a "modifications" section, allowing educators to tailor instruction to meet the learning needs of their class.

Healthy Steps for Healthy Lives was originally created by Nestle USA in 2005, and is part of the Nestle Healthy Kids Global Programme, a larger global commitment by Nestle to create shared value through nutrition, health and wellness awareness among school age children.  

The Healthy Steps for Healthy Lives materials are available online at Nestlefamily.com/healthysteps or as free printed kits upon request.

About the National Education Association Health Information Network

As the non-profit health affiliate of the NEA, the NEA Health Information Network (NEA HIN) provides health and safety information to the 3.2 million educational employees and students it serves. NEA HIN distributes information nationally through NEA's 51 state/territory affiliates as well as 14,000 local education associations. For more information, please visit www.neahin.org

About Nestle in the United States

Nestle in the United States consists of five main businesses: Nestle USA, Nestle Purina PetCare Company, Nestle Waters North America, Nestle Nutrition and Nestle Professional. Together, these companies operate in more than 120 locations in 47 states and employ over 51,000 people. The United States is Nestle S.A.'s largest market with combined product sales in the United States totaling more than $27 billion in 2010.

Committed to becoming the very best Nutrition, Health and Wellness company, Nestle in the United States provides nutritious, healthy food for every member of the family at every stage of life: infants and toddlers, families, athletes, mature adults/grandparents, and pets. Key brands include LEAN CUISINE®, THE SKINNY COW®, NESTLE® TOLL HOUSE®, POWERBAR®, NESTLE® PURE LIFE®, POLAND SPRING®, GERBER®, and PURINA ONE®.

SOURCE Nestle in the United States; National Education Association Health Information Network