CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Junior League of Cedar Rapids (JLCR) held the 3rd annual education initiative on childhood obesity and nutrition, titled Junior Leagues’ Kids in the Kitchen. Area non-profit organization, Access Iowa, joined JLCR at Taylor Elementary School on April 14, 2008. Students from the Taylor Mentoring Program participated in activities to increase their awareness of proper nutrition and exercise.

Junior Leagues’ Kids in the Kitchen program is designed to raise awareness of the importance of eating well and staying healthy and help reverse the growth of childhood obesity and its associated health issues. JLCR believes that education and hands-on involvement in healthy meal preparation are the first steps to making a lasting change in our children’s future.

Volunteers from both JLCR and Access Iowa provided students with hands-on activities related to selecting and preparing healthy snacks, understanding nutrition labels in order to make healthy food choices, eating a balanced diet using the food pyramid, and the importance of exercise in their daily routine. Ideas to promote family meal activities and the benefits of family dining were also provided.

“It was very rewarding to bring this worthy program to the students at Taylor. They were such enthusiastic participants! This initiative reflects our vision as advocates for issues related to woman and children and our desire to make a difference in the community,” said Kids in the Kitchen coordinator, Nancy Almasi.

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