Abstract

The Family Nutrition Education Program (FNEP) is a federally funded program that reaches limited resource audiences of all ages. It is a multifaceted program focusing on behaviour change and the adoption of habits that will improve health and quality of life. Lessons in the different curricula include nutrition, food preparation, and physical activity. Through evaluation and outcome, data participants improve in all areas. This presentation will highlight how physical activity is incorporated into nutrition and health lessons, and the outcome data proving it influences behaviour change. We use recommendations from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to build materials and activities into our curriculum. All of our activities are age appropriate, based on the expertise and advisement of our youth development faculty and our nutrition and exercise physiology faculty. Activities include movement in classrooms, using pedometers, walking programs, strength training programs, and development and implementation of a physical activity pyramid.