Physical Activity & Nutrition
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MYAN aims to connect you with a wide range of organizations and resources on this topic. If you do not find what you are looking for, please contact MYAN.
September is Fruit & Veggies More Matters Month! Visit http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/ for more info & resources!
Who's Who in Maine
Physical Activity, Nutrition Program & Healthy Weight Program
http://www.healthymainepartnerships.org/panp/
Physical Activity Coordinator
Rebecca Drewette-Card, (207) 287-5084, rebecca.drewettecard@maine.gov
Maine Nutrition Network (MNN)
Project Specialist (School-based Nutrition Projects)
Mary Ann Bennett, (207) 626-5044, mbennett@usm.maine.edu
Project Specialist (Development of Nutrition and Physical Activity Materials for School-based projects)
Amy Bouchard, (207)-615-6601, abouchard@usm.maine.edu
Nutrition Information, Programming and Policies
Anne-Marie Davee, (207) 626-5275, adavee@usm.maine.edu
Project Specialist (Nutrition and Physical Activity Program Development and Implementation of Programs for Seniors)
Matt L'Italien, (207) 626-5219, mlitalien@usm.maine.edu
Policy Analyst (Policy and Environmental Change Strategies for Physical Activity and Obesity Prevention)
Amy Root, (207) 626-5032, aroot@usm.maine.edu
For a complete technical assistance contact list for PAN and MNN, click here.
Maine Action for Healthy Kids
http://www.healthymainekids.org
A fantastic compilation of Maine data, resources, success stories and more!
Bicycle Coalition of Maine
www.bikemaine.org
Great information on biking in Maine. Also hosts information on the "Safe Routes to School" initiative (MaineSafeRoutes.org) which provides resources on walking & biking to school.
Cultivating Community
www.cultivatingcommunity.us
Based in Portland, Maine, Cultivating Community uses organic, sustainable practices to grow food in community and school gardens and at partnering farms. They use community food work as an engine for high-impact youth and community development programs that reconnect people to natural systems in sustainable ways.
Eat Local Foods Coalition of Maine
http://eatmainefoods.ning.com/
Check out this site to network with other folks interested in supporting local agriculture.
Farm to School Initiatives
Healthy Maine Walks
http://www.healthymainewalks.org
Healthy Maine Walks provides a central location for towns and local groups to register walks, including descriptions of registered walks for those interested in staying active in the outdoors.
Healthy Schools, Healthy Kids
Healthy Schools, Healthy Kids is a new TV series hosted by Maine's First Lady, Karen Baldacci, highlighting school health programs that are improving the health of Maine's children and adolescents. The first two shows provide an overview of school health in Maine including the Healthy Maine Partnerships. The remaining programs feature schools that demonstrate excellence in the areas of school health services, staff health promotion and wellness, physical education and physical activity, health education and school nutrition.
Starting on Friday May 4, each of the seven half-hour shows in the series will be broadcast three times a week during May and June. The programs will be aired each week on Friday at 11:00 am and on Sunday at 11:00 am and 8:00 pm on Time Warner/Channel 9 cable stations across Maine. Please visit the Time Warner program guide or the school health website at www.mainecshp.com for more details on the series schedule.
Contact information:
Jacqueline Ellis, Director Coordinated School Health Program, Maine Department of Health and Human Services at 287-3856 or Jaki.Ellis@maine.gov and Katherine Wilbur, Health Education and Health Promotion Coordinator, Maine Department of Education at 624-6696 or Kathy.Wilbur@maine.gov. Maine Cardiovascular Health Program
http://www.healthymainepartnerships.org/mcvhp/heart_safe.aspx .
Visit this website to learn more about the Maine HeartSafe Communities Resource Kit for Cardiovascular Awareness and Education.
Maine CDC/DHHS Public Health Information Inventory
http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/boh/phdata/
This webpage provides the user with a central location to search for public health data and data-related information published by the Maine CDC. It contains nearly 500 recently published documents as well as links to useful public health data websites.
Maine Coalition on Smoking or Health/Healthy Policy Partners of Maine
http://www.mcd.org/mcsoh/
MCSOH's goals are to: reduce the number of Maine children who start smoking; increase access to treatment services for those who want to quit using tobacco; protect all Maine citizens from secondhand smoke; protect the Fund for a Healthy Maine; and to reduce the rate of childhood obesity in Maine and diseases related to obesity among children and adults. Their website is a great resource for information on current legislation on tobacco and obesity related issues, and ways to get involved in these efforts.
- MCSOH is always looking for youth to get involved! If you would like to participate in advocacy activities or receive legislative updates, please contact Amy at (207) 874-8774.
Maine Harvest Lunch
http://www.mofga.org/Resources/MaineHarvestLunch/tabid/817/Default.aspxThe Maine Harvest Lunch program was developed by the Gorham School Nutrition Program, Cumberland County Soil & Water Conservation District, PROP’s Communities Promoting Health Coalition (A Healthy Maine Partnership) & Farm Fresh Connection. The goal of Maine Harvest Lunch experiences are to raise awareness for where food comes from and for the important economic and environmental issues related to food production. The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) Maine Harvest Lunch page contains 12 recipes, a list of distributors who source Maine foods, and links to many regional, statewide and national resources on farm-to-school topics, all on one, easy to access page. - A resource CD containing materials developed for Maine Harvest Lunch over the last several years is available free of charge upon request. Contact Amanda Beal, PROP’s Communities Promoting Health Coalition, (800) 698-4959, aeb@propeople.org or Melissa White, MOFGA’s Organic Marketing Coordinator, (207) 568-4142, melissa@mofga.org.
Maine in Motion
http://www.mainephysicalactivity.org
Promotes the wellness for Maine people through physical activity and other healthy practices.
Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association
http://www.mofga.org
Helps local farmers and gardeners grow organic food, protect the environment, recycle natural resources, increase local food production, support rural communities, and illuminate for consumers the connection between healthful food and environmentally sound growing practices.
Trails for a Healthy Maine
http://www.bikemaine.org/trailsbond/
Trails for a Healthy Maine is a coalition of trail organizations, trail advocates, and community leaders who support the development of shared-use trails. They believe shared-use trails can contribute to the health, economic development, and quality of life in communities across Maine.
White Bikes
http://www.whitebike.org/
White Bike is a grassroots free bike exchange program in Portland, ME. This initiative is designed to support people in using alternative modes of transportation.
WinterKids
http://www.winterkids.org/intro.htm
WinterKids is a nonprofit organization committed to helping children develop life long habits of health, education, and physical fitness through outdoor, winter activity.
Print Resources - Beyond Bake Sales: Non-Food Based Fundraising Ideas (MYAN)
- Mapping School Food: A Policy Guide (Public Health Advocacy Institute) Mapping School Food was written to help legislators, advocates, parents, teachers and anyone interested in improving school food navigate school food law and policy. Mapping School Food is an innovative guide that describes school food policy from the perspective of different personnel in the school system. It also provides tools to help advocates find answers, resolve conflicts, and build consensus for improving school food in their community.
- Weight Management Research to Practice Series (CDC) is designed to summarize the science on a weight management topic for health professionals and the lay audience.
- National Nutrition Month 2007 Quiz (American Dietic Association)
- New Downloadable/Printable Posters! The Food and Drug Administration's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition has posted on its website downloadable and printable posters of nutrition information for the 20 most frequently consumed raw fruits and vegetables consumed in the United States. The website also includes a poster that lists nutrition information for fish which has been cooked by moist or dry heat with no added ingredients.
- Nutrition Advisory Councils (American School Food Service Association)
- Nutrition Resources for Youth Advocacy Programs (Maine Nutrition Network)
- Obesity Fight Hits Cafeteria (New York Times)
- Rules for Bicyclists (Bicycle Coalition of Maine)
- Students Taking Charge: How Healthy is Your School? (Massachusetts Action for Healthy Youth) The Massachusetts student councils that participated in the Students Taking Charge initative helped shape the this toolkit, a unique resource that helps high school students assess their school's nutrition and physical activity policies, and recommend and implement changes.
- Tips for Teens--Lower Your Risk for Type 2 Diabetes (EDEP)
- Walk for Life (Healthy Maine Partnerships)
- What's Cooking in Your Food System? (Community Food Security Coalition's Guide). You can order the full 123-page document online for $18.
- What Do You Think of School Lunch Foods? Student Survey (American Cancer Society)
- Working with Restaurants(National Fruits and Vegetables Steering Committee) may be helpful to those interested in working with restaurants, food service deptartments and/or legislation.
- Youth on the Move! A Questionairre on Favorite Activities (American Cancer Society)
- Healthy Acadia, University of Maine Cooperative Extension, and the Community Food Security Coalition are pleased to announce publication of the 2007 Hancock County Farm to School Directory. The Farm to School Directory is designed as a resource for school and institutional food service providers, interested staff, and community members, to help develop strong, sustainable purchasing relationships between Hancock County schools and local farms/food producers.
The Directory contains a listing of local farms, seafood companies, and Maine product distributors that are interested in selling their products to schools in Hancock County. Also included are many other farm to school resources such as tips for working with farmers, ideas for getting a farm to school project started, and examples of other farm to school projects around New England.
Additional Web Resources
Action for Healthy Kids
http://www.actionforhealthykids.org
The only nonprofit organization formed specifically to address the epidemic of overweight, undernourished and sedentary youth by focusing on changes at school.
Agriculture in the Classroom
http://www.agclassroom.org/
This website includes many resources for incorporating agricultural studies in the classroom, including lesson plans, and resources for students.
Alliance for a Healthier Generation
http://www.healthiergeneration.org/
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation is a partnership between the American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation. Their goal is to fight one of our nation’s leading health threats – childhood obesity. Find information about the Go Healthy challenge, as well as info for schools, parents and more.
American School Health Association
http://www.ashaweb.org
Protects and promotes the health of children and youth by supporting coordinated school health programs as a foundation for school success.
California Project Lean
http://www.caprojectlean.org
Increases healthy eating and physical activity among teens as a way to improve health and reduce the risk of chronic disease.
Center for Disease Control & Prevention
Nutrition Resources for Health Professionals
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/nutrition/health_professionals/practice/index.htm
The Weight Management Research to Practice Series is designed to summarize the science on weight management for health professionals and the lay audience. An overview of the science will be compiled into a summary document appropriate for public health professionals, including implications for practice.
Center for Science in the Public Interest
http://www.cspinet.org/
Find information about nutrition-related advocacy efforts, including how you can take action. This website includes information about eating green, food safety, nutrition policy, relevent news stories and much more.
Center for Young Women's Health
http://www.youngwomenshealth.org/nutrition_menu.html
Learn about eating disorders, sports nutrition, vitamins and minerals, healthy eating, and fun ways to stay in shape. Although the website is targeted to young women, you can find great tips and tools for all young people.
Fruits & Veggies--More Matters
http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/
This new campaign replaces the 5 A Day brand/logo. Find tons of recipes and ideas on this new website!
Groovy Pyramid
http://groovypyramid.com/
Includes health-education resources from an "edutainment" standpoint, including songs about nutrition and much more.
The musical approach! Check out the new "More Matters" song as an example of music-based health communications.
KidsRunning.com
http://www.kidsrunning.com
Helps children develop the love of everyday habits which include physical exercise and healthy eating.
Health Resources & Services Administration
www.hrsa.gov
Find information about grants, maternal & child health, and rural health.
Bright Futures for Women's Health and Wellness Young Women's Physical Activity and Healthy Eating Guide and Wallet Card
The revised versions of these preventive health tools are now available free of charge from the HRSA Information Center (1-888-ASK-HRSA) and online at www.hrsa.gov/womenshealth . Provider tools to accompany these revised materials have also been updated. The revised versions integrate information from the 2005 U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
Healthy Counties Database
www.healthycounties.org/database
The National Association of Counties has a new Healthy Counties Database containing more than 100 profiles of model policies, programs and initiatives that counties nationwide enacted to prevent childhood obesity. The database is designed to help county officials promote healthy living by improving the health of their environments. Each individual profile includes a brief description of the practice, county demographics, contact information, funding sources and additional resources.
Local Food Dude
http://localfooddude.com/default.aspx
This website is a site devoted exclusively to promoting the consumption of locally grown foods in schools.
My Pyramid
http://www.mypyramid.gov
Works to improve the nutrition and well-being of Americans.
My Pyramid Menu Planner: The MyPyramind menu planner interactively shows whether your food choices are balanced for the day, or on average over a week; it can help plan upcoming meals to meet MyPyramid goals; it provides suggestions for potential ways to improve food choices; and it allows for easy entry of foods for additional family members.
National Institute of Health
http://www.nih.gov
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) -- The Nation's Medical Research Agency -- includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is the primary federal agency for conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and it investigates the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases.
New online resources stressing the importance of calcium for bone health are now available for middle and high school teachers.
National Recreation Trails Program
http://americantrails.org/default.htm
The National Recreation Trail Program supports designated NRT's with an array of benefits, including promotion, technical assistance, networking and access to funding. Its goal is to promote the use and care of existing trails and stimulate the development of new trails to create a national network of trails and realize the vision of "Trails for All Americans."
National Youth Network
http://www.nationalyouth.com
Educates parents to troubled teens on child behavior issues including ADD, ADHD, drug abuse, teen depression and behavior modification. Advocates for such intervention options as wilderness programs, boarding schools, residential treatment, weight loss camps, and other adolescent programs.
Stonyfield Farm "Moosletters"
http://www.stonyfield.com/moosletters/MFFAugust2006.htm
Slow Food
http://www.slowfood.com/
Slow Food is a non-profit, eco-gastronomic member-supported organization that was founded in 1989 to counteract fast food and fast life, the disappearance of local food traditions and people’s dwindling interest in the food they eat, where it comes from, how it tastes and how our food choices affect the rest of the world.
United States Department of Agriculture-Team Nutrition
http://www.teamnutrition.usda.gov/kids-pyramid.html
USDA’s Team Nutrition is an integrated, behavior based, comprehensive plan for promoting the nutritional health of the Nation’s children.
The USDA Recipe Finder is a database of healthy recipes that save time and teach resource management skills. The database can be searched by cost, nutrition topics, theme, menu items, audiences and cooking equipment.
