The American Heart Association Hosts Nutrition Summit

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The American Heart Association aims to put an end to childhood obesity.

The organization sponsors a nutrition summit in Fargo to improve health and educational outcomes for kids.

KVRR’s Brittany Ford has the story.

School administrators and nutrition professionals from across the state are discussing new ways promote healthier eating, and classroom activity.

Statistics have shown that schools play a critical role in providing nutritious meals and a healthy environment.

“Teach them to do to the right thing. Actually what we need to do is provide the right thing for them. It’s a lot of responsibility on adults all of the adults that adults at home but also the adults at school,” said Dr. Miriam Vos Asst. Professor of Pediatrics at Emory University.

One thing schools across the country are doing to promote healthy eating is updating its school meal standards.

The national food standard for healthier meals in schools include more whole grains, fruits, and vegetables and avoiding foods that are high in sodium.

Education and healthy eating at school only goes so far, the summit also discussed ways to promote behavior changes.

“Bottom line is even though we know a lot we really aren’t doing it. So what we’re doing with kids is focused on behavior change having them try things out, practice it, doing it the right way and then coming back and talking about it,” said Sharon Buhr Director of Young People’s Healthy Heart Program.

The summit promotes that idea that healthier eating and physical activity ultimately improves academic performance.

Creating healthy kids that grow into healthy adults.

Brittany Ford KVRR News.

The American Heart Association says the goal is to reduce the numbers of those affected by heart disease and stroke by encouraging healthier eating habits early in life.