|
|
|||||||||||||
 |
 |
|
Child Care - The Gold Sneaker InitiativeGetting a Jump on Childhood Obesity PreventionAccording to research, health habits are instilled at a young age, with most habits being formed during adolescence. Following adolescence, as we see with adults, habits become much harder to change. If can instill good habits at an early age, we can address behavioral factors that contribute to overweight and obesity from the beginning. The Gold Sneaker initiative was developed to enhance policy related to physical activity and nutrition within licensed child care facilities across Tennessee. It is collaboration among the Department of Health, Department of Human Services and Child Care Resource & Referral and funded through a grant from the National Governors Association through the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. New policy will be primarily focused on physical activity, more frequently referred to as “active play” in this age group. Policies to enact will include minimum requirements on physical activity, sedentary activities, breastfeeding, meal time, behaviors and portion sizes. Child care facilities that implement the proposed enhanced physical activity and nutrition policies will earn a “Gold Sneaker” award which designates them as a “Gold Sneaker” child care facility. Such designation can be used for marketing purposes for the child care facilities, and local organizations will encourage parents to select such facilities. Facilities receive recognition through a certificate, decals, stickers and website recognition. Gold Sneaker training sessions have been added to Child Care Resource and Referral’s menu of training topics. Training attendees will receive forms, instructions, checklists, curricula and materials for implementation in their facilities. For more information on the Gold Sneaker initiative, including the specific policies, check out:
|
|
|||
|
||||||
