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Nourishing Healthy Preschoolers: A Guide to MyPlate Nutrition
New Resources for Nutrition Educators DVD Nourishing Healthy Preschoolers: A Guide to MyPlate Nutrition. 2012. Learning Seed, Suite 301, 641 W. Lake St, Chicago, IL 60661. DVD, 27 min, $109. Parents and caregivers play a key role in developing children's eating habits. Using the USDA's Guidelines, we (Learning Seed) show how meals can include a variety of nutritious foods, how to determine appropriate portion sizes, how to make snacks healthy, and how to encourage physical activity. We also address common concerns about sugar, fat, and picky eaters and show how even busy families can eat healthy. —Learning Seed This timely DVD for parents and caregivers of children ages 2-5 promotes application of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The 4 basic principles addressed include: (1) maximize nutrients, (2) minimize solid fats and added sugars, (3) mix in physical activity, and (4) make healthy eating a positive experience. Each of these principles has its own chapter for ease of navigation, and the presentation style is pleasant, accessible, and well suited to the nutrition novice as well as the experienced individual seeking the latest recommendations. Although it begins with basic nutrition information, the presentation moves easily into the growing health concern of overweight and obesity among preschoolers and links it to adult chronic disease risk. This connection underlies the importance of appropriate nutrient intake without excess energy.
MyPlate is introduced as a tool for promoting intake of nutrient-rich food, and therefore health, in this age group. As each food group is presented, examples of healthy choices within that group, as well as ageappropriate portion sizes, are shown. As the narrative proceeds into solid fats and added sugars as well as physical activity recommendations, the video continues to engage the viewer through visual representations of children interacting in their environment with food and in active play to beautifully illustrate the points. Creative suggestions are offered throughout for substituting healthier food alternatives both at home and in the restaurant setting. Likewise, examples of physical activity that are shown make it appear enjoyable and achiev-
able—an approach that is consistent throughout the presentation. One of the best features of this DVD is the emphasis on making healthy eating fun by getting preschoolers involved. A number of tips are included on how to involve little ones themselves in making food choices and preparing meals and snacks. Overall, this DVD succinctly helps parents and caregivers grasp key healthy eating and activity principles for preschoolers while encouraging them to be persistent in their efforts. The information presented is comprehensive and based on the most current dietary guidance. Furthermore, the presentation is visually engaging, the narrative pleasant and informative, and the approach realistic. Numerous easy, helpful, and creative ideas are included. This DVD would be an excellent resource for use in nutrition education programming for child care providers, preschool teachers, parents, and caregivers of preschoolers and could easily form the basis for a stimulating group discussion post viewing. Melissa Hansen-Petrik, PhD, RD, Department of Nutrition, The University of Tennessee–Knoxville, 1215 W. Cumberland Ave., 229 Jessie Harris Building, Knoxville, TN 37996-1920 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2012.05.005
Cite this article as Hansen-Petrik M. Nourishing Healthy Preschoolers: A Guide to MyPlate Nutrition [New Resources for Nutrition Educators]. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2013;45:94.e1.
Inclusion of any material in this section does not imply endorsement by the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior. Evaluative comments contained in the reviews reflect the views of the authors. Review abstracts are either prepared by the reviewer or extracted from the product literature. Prices quoted are those provided by the publishers at the time materials were submitted. They may not be current when the review is published. Reviewers receive a complimentary copy of the resource as part of the review process. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2013;45:94.e1 Ó2013 SOCIETY FOR NUTRITION EDUCATION AND BEHAVIOR
Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior Volume 45, Number 1, 2013
94.e1
MyPlate is introduced as a tool for promoting intake of nutrient-rich food, and therefore health, in this age group. As each food group is presented, examples of healthy choices within that group, as well as ageappropriate portion sizes, are shown. As the narrative proceeds into solid fats and added sugars as well as physical activity recommendations, the video continues to engage the viewer through visual representations of children interacting in their environment with food and in active play to beautifully illustrate the points. Creative suggestions are offered throughout for substituting healthier food alternatives both at home and in the restaurant setting. Likewise, examples of physical activity that are shown make it appear enjoyable and achiev-
able—an approach that is consistent throughout the presentation. One of the best features of this DVD is the emphasis on making healthy eating fun by getting preschoolers involved. A number of tips are included on how to involve little ones themselves in making food choices and preparing meals and snacks. Overall, this DVD succinctly helps parents and caregivers grasp key healthy eating and activity principles for preschoolers while encouraging them to be persistent in their efforts. The information presented is comprehensive and based on the most current dietary guidance. Furthermore, the presentation is visually engaging, the narrative pleasant and informative, and the approach realistic. Numerous easy, helpful, and creative ideas are included. This DVD would be an excellent resource for use in nutrition education programming for child care providers, preschool teachers, parents, and caregivers of preschoolers and could easily form the basis for a stimulating group discussion post viewing. Melissa Hansen-Petrik, PhD, RD, Department of Nutrition, The University of Tennessee–Knoxville, 1215 W. Cumberland Ave., 229 Jessie Harris Building, Knoxville, TN 37996-1920 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2012.05.005
Cite this article as Hansen-Petrik M. Nourishing Healthy Preschoolers: A Guide to MyPlate Nutrition [New Resources for Nutrition Educators]. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2013;45:94.e1.
Inclusion of any material in this section does not imply endorsement by the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior. Evaluative comments contained in the reviews reflect the views of the authors. Review abstracts are either prepared by the reviewer or extracted from the product literature. Prices quoted are those provided by the publishers at the time materials were submitted. They may not be current when the review is published. Reviewers receive a complimentary copy of the resource as part of the review process. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2013;45:94.e1 Ó2013 SOCIETY FOR NUTRITION EDUCATION AND BEHAVIOR
Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior Volume 45, Number 1, 2013
94.e1