Healthy for Life

In Napa County, 30 percent of 5th, 7th, and 9th graders are overweight or obese, which puts them at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and other health issues.

Healthy 4 Life addresses these rising trends by bringing registered dieticians and certified fitness instructors to local schools, where they partner with teachers and students to promote a healthy lifestyle through nutritional and physical fitness activities.

From understanding the importance of eating breakfast to learning about “My Plate” and healthier beverage choices, registered dieticians teach kids at each grade level how to maintain a healthy relationship with food. Since a healthy lifestyle starts at home, our health educator also meets with the parents of pre-school children to provide nutrition education. Topics include:

Healthy family eating on a budget according to cultural background
Portion control
Sugary beverages
Cooking tips

Dancing, non-competitive, active games and team building are just a few of the physical fitness activities certified fitness instructors bring to pre-school and elementary school students and their teachers. Fitness instructors’ also work with educators to incorporate physical education into the student’s daily routines.

Proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle are critical to maximizing brain function and enhancing learning. These early intervention techniques can prevent future health problems, enhance academic performance and teach youth healthy lifestyle skills they can carry into adulthood.

Healthy 4 Life trainers coach K-12 classroom teachers, physical education (P.E.) specialists and pre-school teachers how to implement the program in their respective schools through full and half-day workshops held each year. Students participate in the program at no cost to them, their family or their school for the academic school year.

Nutrition:

The curriculum is provided and taught by a registered dietician.
Pre-schools receive two parent nutrition education classes per year (in English and/or Spanish) taught by a bilingual educator with incentives,(like cutting boards, measuring cups and
cookbooks), given for attendance.
Elementary, Middle and High Schools (H4L lead classes only, not all students at the school) receive three nutritional education classes per year.

Physical fitness:

Ongoing support and curriculum are provided for teachers
Pre-schools are offered one hour per month of fitness demonstration coaching (by a certified fitness instructor) per site with the goal of increasing the moderate to vigorous physical activity
(MVPA) in the daily curriculum.
Elementary schools are offered two fitness classes per month.

Healthy 4 Life
3448 Villa Lane, Suite 102, Napa, CA 94558
Phone: 707-251-2000 Email: Jeff.Kresge@stjoe.org

Community partners: