Evaluation Study Shows HealthBarn® USA Program Effective For Children
Behavior Changes for Health Promotion Assessed
WYCKOFF, N.J., July 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- HealthBarn USA's hands-on, innovative summer camp program was found to be effective in getting kids to eat more fruits and vegetables and less processed, readily available convenient foods. They also learned how to grow food organically, cook and compost the food scraps. This practical and fun approach can be effective in combating unhealthy eating habits of children when childhood obesity has tripled in the past 30 years. The data were presented by Pamela Koch, EdD, RD, adjunct associate professor of nutrition, Teachers College Columbia University at the Society of Nutrition Education and Behavior held in Washington, DC.
The pilot retrospective study determined how campers changed their behaviors. "Nutrition education combined with fresh food availability are key factors in teaching children and their families how to be healthy," stated Pamela Koch. "HealthBarn USA's farm-based, healthy-lifestyle education model underscores the importance of grass roots programs in providing solutions to tackle childhood obesity and its related-diseases," added Koch.
HealthBarn USA's summer camp programs for children, 5-12, are located in Bergen Country, NJ and Westchester, NY. "Our mission is to empower children and families to lead healthy lives by making it fun and interactive. Through our research partnership with Teachers College Columbia University we now have even further proof that our approach works," stated Stacey Antine, MS, RD, founder of HealthBarn USA. "We know that the healthy habits kids acquire at the barn need to be continued at home to be successful which is why I wrote Appetite for Life (HarperOne, on sale September 2012; $26.99; Hardcover; 9780062103703; also available as an eBook), a guide for parents to keep their kids eating healthy," added Antine.
HealthBarn USA is a proven leader of healthy-lifestyle education for children and families. Founded in 2005 by Stacey Antine, MS, RD, HealthBarn USA has reached over 30,000 families through its year-round after-school programs, school and scout field trips, summer camps and its "Try It, You'll Like It" school assembly nationwide.
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SOURCE HealthBarn USA
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