Last week I outlined the positive steps that the State of Nebraska is taking in terms of implementing new Physical Education standards. To recap, the new Physical Education standards are shifting focus from sports based curriculum, to fitness-based curriculum. Classes on conditioning and flexibility, yoga, outdoor pursuits and individual sports will take the place of some basketball, flag-football, and team sports activities in required Physical Education classes. Most likely the team-sports classes will still be offered as electives.
This implementation of new state standards is important, but it is State of Nebraska educational mandates that are necessary to see results in childhood obesity rates. The new state standards set the standard for what Physical Education “should” look like. However, local school districts still have the freedom to operate their Physical Education programs however they see fit. The State of Nebraska issues mandates (must-do’s) for core subjects such as math, science, english, and social studies. The need for mandates in these subjects is very important, as adaptation is necessary to meet the demands of an educationally evolving world. While the new obesity rates (31%, 14th highest in the country), one might suggest that we mandate more Physical Education minutes to the educational schedule. By adding Physical Education minutes, you would have to take away from another subject. With the “core” classes secure, the cuts would come from music or arts programs. Further cuts to these fine arts programs would have a severe impact on the artistic and creative development of our children. Fine arts, like physical activity, are something that we want our children to participate more in. Cutting fine arts programs to make room more Physical Education is creating a problem, instead of answering one. The answer to the problem of childhood obesity lies within the “core” of our educational system. Check back next week to see how this is possible.
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October 14 was a huge day for Physical Education in the State of Nebraska. New Physical Education standards approved by the Nebraska State Board of Education by a vote of 8-0, outline a shift in curriculum from a sports based model, to a physical fitness based model for K-12th grade classrooms. The new curriculum has an emphasis on lifelong healthy living skills.
This means an increase in classes focused around dancing, strength and conditioning, flexibility, yoga, outdoor pursuits, and additional individual sports that can be participated in over a lifetime. As a former Physical Education teacher, I am very excited about the shift towards fitness based curriculum. Too often, with the current state of Physical Education classes, children do not get the moderate to vigorous physical activity necessary for a health enhancing life. This is due to a lack of a skill set required to effectively participate in team-sports based physical education classes. For example, in a game of 5 vs. 5 basketball in a regular Physical Education class, only 2 or 3 students have the skill competency to participate in a manner that increases the student’s heart rate high enough over an extended period of time, to qualify as a moderate to vigorous level of physical activity. In a typical Physical Education class with the enrollment size of 30 students, roughly 20 out of the 30 students will not be physically active in their Physical Education class. Anyone that has taken a Physical Education class knows what it feels like to not be competent or confident in a sport. A change to a fitness based curriculum will inspire more participation and instill more confidence in our children. The new standards for Physical Education are a small step in the right direction, but our state is not in need for step, but for a giant leap. With the help of 719 Fitness in Neligh, The University of Nebraska-Extension office is hosting a Family Food, Nutrition, and Fitness night. This event will be held November 2nd 2016 at 6:00PM at 719 Fitness in Neligh, Nebraska.
This event will be free of charge and consist of food demonstrations and sampling, grocery store budgeting, exercise tips, and much more. Space for this event is limited. 25 people have already registered, which leaves only 25 spots left! Please RSVP by October 20th by emailing me, Brad Averill at bradley.averill@unl.edu or by calling 402-887-5414. I look forward to seeing you at this wonderful community event, where we will work together to create a healthier Nebraska. With the help of 719 Fitness in Neligh, The University of Nebraska- Extension office is hosting a Family Food, Nutrition, and Fitness night. This event will be held November 2nd 2016 at 6:00PM at 719 Fitness in Neligh, Nebraska.
This event will be free of charge and consist of food demonstrations and sampling, grocery store budgeting, exercise tips, and much more. Space for this event is limited. 25 people have already registered, which leaves only 25 spots left! Please RSVP by October 20th by emailing me, Brad Averill at bradley.averill@unl.edu or by calling 402-887-5414. I look forward to seeing you at this wonderful community event, where we will work together to create a healthier Nebraska. Trips to the grocery store are filled with all kinds of different emotions. For some of us, we go into the grocery store for two things and walk out with over $200.00 of groceries. While this may be a problem for some families, it is a luxury that is not afforded to all. Grocery shopping can be a stress filled trip, trying to get groceries for a family of four, on a budget made for one. Grocery shopping can be made an enjoyable experience for more American’s, with a few adjustments to the way we prevent food waste.
On average, American’s waste between 25-40% of the food that they purchase. This accounts for around $165 million dollars lost, due to food waste in America. This waste creates billions of tons of greenhouse gasses that are a major culprit in climate change, in addition to a terrible waste to land and water resources. According the USDA the average American family spends $650.00 per month on groceries. If we are wasting 30% of our groceries, we are in essence throwing away around $200.00 per month. For some families $200.00 is more than half of their monthly food budget that is being wasted every month. Planning meals, using grocery lists, and avoiding impulse buys are great ways to prevent wasting food each month. Purchase items only when you have a plan for them. Be realistic about what you purchase. If you live alone or have a family of two, it may not make sense to buy an entire bag of oranges or potatoes. The same goes for purchasing meat. Meat can be sold in packages up to 10 lbs.! Once open, meat can last 1-2 days after opening. With a small family, it may be challenging to eat that much meat in a one or two day span. When cooking, use every piece of the food that you cooking with. Skins and stems of lots and fruits and vegetables contain high levels of nutrients that are often discarded. Skin on apples, cucumbers, potatoes and the stems of broccoli are delicious and nutritious. Fruits like oranges, lemons and limes have skin that is not easily edible, but the rind can be removed with a citrus zester to provide a burst of concentrated flavor to a number of food dishes. Eating leftovers can prevent unnecessary waste of your food. Freezing your leftovers is a great way to save one of your favorite dishes for later. Make sure to label the food that you freeze to help consume it before sitting in the freezer for too long. We as individuals and families can make small changes that make a big difference in the amount of food that we waste every day. |
Brad AverillExtension Educator- Food, Nutrition, and Health Archives
February 2017
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