Children's Wisconsin - Fox Valley, 2020 Community Benefit

Helping Students Learn About Healthy Nutrition, Physical Activity

We know that the social determinants of health have a tremendous impact on children’s health and well-being, including their ability to eat healthy, nutritious foods and participate in adequate physical activity. In Wisconsin, approximately 14 percent of youth ages 10 to 17 have obesity and nearly one-third of high school students are either overweight or obese. Less than a quarter of Wisconsin high schoolers report getting the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity each day. Sadly, children with obesity are at a higher risk for other chronic health conditions and diseases, are more often bullied and teased, and are more likely to suffer from social isolation, depression and lower self-esteem.
Children’s Wisconsin, in collaboration with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, has created innovative e-learning programs that allow us to partner with schools statewide to help deliver important health information students need to grow up safe and healthy.
Through a combination of free online and classroom activities, Mission: Health helps students in K5 through 8th grades learn how to establish healthy habits, increase physical activity, eat right and feel good about their bodies. Mission: Health aligns with Wisconsin and National Health Education Standards and can be used as a stand-alone health program or integrated into existing curriculum. Students in a dozen Fox Valley areas schools learn: how to choose healthy foods and beverages, physical activities they enjoy, ways to develop and maintain a positive body image, and how food and physical activity impact the body.