Healthy Kids Challenge

Welcome to Wednesday WOWS! February 28, 2007
W-wonderful O-opportunities W-with S-schools

....Easy HEAR, SEE, DO action tips each week

HEAR >>>> Provide a message to increase awareness of knowledge/skills
SEE >>>> Show people HOW to make healthy changes
DO >>>> Help people practice and make healthy changes


The WOWS Message: Six Messages Help Develop Healthy Habits
This Week's Focus - Drink Think!

< HEAR >

WOWS newsletters generally focus on one of six healthy messages. The messages are a part of the foundation in which Healthy Kids Challenge provides ideas for KidLinks to help kids develop skills for healthy eating and physical activity choices.

The six messages are:

     1. Drink Think
     2. Breakfast GO Power
     3. Active Play Every Day
     4. Snack Attack
     5. Smart Servings
     6. 5 (and up to 9) A Day the Tasty Way

We are excited to announce a new partner in the industry, Aquafina, is stepping up to the plate in message and action to support HKC's work with parents, educators and community leaders to get kids moving and develop skills for healthy eating choices. Today's WOWS emphasizes water as a key component of the Drink Think message. Help KidLinks become aware of the factors that make water a healthy choice!

< SEE >

Question: Do you need to drink more water in the summer than in the winter?
Answer: It depends! In the winter, heated air can cause your body to lose water, and we do sweat in the winter, too. For example, there can be quite a bit of sweat equity in active wintertime sports such as skiing! There isn't a simple answer to the question of "how much water to drink" because it depends on different factors.

Help KidLinks SEE how to Drink Think water! Use the suggestions below to make a positive impact with fun, simple activities and supportive policy changes. The Web sites listed will provide interesting resources to assist you with ideas to take Drink
Think actions, such as:

  • Bring about "water awareness" with fun facts, promotions and contests.
  • Use the P.A. system, e-mail, posters, and other forms of communication to share practical tips supporting water drinking at your school or program.
  • Foster environmental changes that will encourage water drinking.

Aquafina - "Water Facts" - http://aquafina.com/
KidsHealth, for Kids - "Why Drinking Water is the Way to Go" - http://www.kidshealth.org/kid/stay_healthy/food/water.html
Mayo Clinic.com, Food and Nutrition, "Water: How much should you drink every day?" - http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/water/NU00283
American Water Works Association - "Drinking Water Week" -http://www.awwa.org/advocacy/dww/
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Drinking Water & Ground Water Kids' Stuff - "Water Trivia Facts" - http://www.epa.gov/safewater/kids/water_trivia_facts.html
and "Water Facts of Life..." http://www.epa.gov/safewater/kids/waterfactsoflife.html

< DO >

  1. Set-up a "Water: How Much Should I Drink A Day?" bulletin board or display to give people practical information. Use the Aquafina.com and the Mayo Clinic.com Web sites listed above as references. List the factors that influence water needs and include the symptoms of dehydration.
  2. Use bottled water as a prize. Raffle flavored bottled water at program or school fundraisers or give as contest prizes.
  3. Encourage KidLinks to track daily beverage choices. Keeping a daily record can show times and situations which suggest the need for a "water break". Reward KidLinks who turn in their records with a water bottle.
  4. If not presently available, consider providing bottled water as a vending or concession option along with juices and milk.
  5. Check building maintenance to make sure drinking fountains are functioning and clean within your facility.
  6. If not presently a policy, consider allowing water bottles in certain areas of the school at designated times during the school day.

Healthy Message References
To get a healthy start, check out the HKC educational materials. Take Healthy Action and Setting Up For Success booklets can get new programs and facilities up and running with healthy eating and physical activity messages. Take a look at http://www.healthykidschallenge.com/ordermaterials.php.


<><><> HEAR_SEE_DO Tips for Newsletters <><><>

Cut and paste a HEAR_SEE_DO tip each week into your own parent newsletters!

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Think about Thirst Quenchers
What is the first drink you or your kids reach for when thirsty? If water is NOT one of the first choices, think about what your family drinks! Water quenches thirst and is great for you. Next time, reach for water!
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Thought for the Day

"Without a sense of caring, there can be no sense of community." -- Anthony D'Angelo

For questions about Healthy Kids Challenge, please contact:
Vickie L. James, RD, LD, Director
vickie@healthykidschallenge.com
www.healthykidschallenge.com
1-888-259-6287