| The number of television commercials that children and
young people view has risen to more than 40,000 a year.
Ads aren't the only thing trying to influence what
they buy, eat and do. Kids are bombarded with messages
from TV, the Internet, radio and their friends. Somehow,
they must make sense of all these messages and make
choices about their behavior.
How can we make sure they decide
wisely?
A new program helps
middle-schoolers make healthier food and exercise
choices.
Media-Smart Youth: Eat, Think,
and Be Active! was developed by the National
Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
for students ages 11 to 13. It teaches them how to
separate health fact from fiction.
"Habits begun in childhood and
reinforced in the teen years may become lifelong
behaviors," said Duane Alexander, M.D., director of
the NICHD. "Media-Smart
Youth teaches young people how to evaluate the
complex media messages they receive so they can make
wise choices about eating and being active."
Lessons cover:
- Media
awareness - Students learn about the tools the
media use to attract attention and persuade young
people.
- Media
production - Students develop media campaigns
that promote good nutrition and physical activity.
- Nutrition
- Students learn how to read and interpret
Nutrition Facts Labels.
- Physical
activity - Students develop strategies to become
more active.
To order a free copy of the Media-Smart Youth program
materials, contact the NICHD Information Resource Center
at (800) 370-2943 or download material from its Web site
at http://www.nichd.nih.gov/msy. |
