Press Release

March 15, 2006
Contact: Kaylyn Kendall Dines
Phone: (973) 972-3000
dineskd@umdnj.edu

Nutrition Experts at UMDNJ Offer Youth Tips on Healthy Eating
- March is National Nutrition Month -

SCOTCH PLAINS—In recognition of National Nutrition Month, nutritionists at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey will conduct an interactive culinary program for 60 high school freshmen.

The Community Nutrition Education Center at the UMDNJ-School of Health Related Professions is sponsoring the "Step Up to Nutrition and Health" program, is a national health initiative sponsored by the American Dietetic Association.

National Nutrition Month® is an education and information campaign sponsored annually by the ADA. Intended to emphasize the importance of making informed food choices while developing sound eating and physical activity habits, the campaign has four main themes: Getting the Most Nutrition out of Your Calories; Make Smart Choices, Play it Safe with Foods: Preparing, Handling and Storing Food; and Balance Food and Physical Activity.

"Adolescence is a primetime to establish good eating habits especially since the childhood obesity rate continue to soar," said Gerri McKay, associate clinical professor and clinical coordinator of the Dietetic Internship program at the UMDNJ-School of Health Related Professions. "As nutrition experts, we want to give them practical recipes and suggestions they can apply daily to achieve optimal health and wellness."

This program for the freshman class at Union County Academy of Allied Health and Sciences High School in Scotch Plains will include interactive culinary demonstrations, lessons on how to prepare healthy meals and nutritional games. Students will spin the ‘Wheel of Nutrition Fortune’ and aim at guessing nutritional words and phrases. During the ‘Fiber Facts’ game, they will look at items like cereal, bread, crackers and lettuce and guess the fiber content in each item. Fast food meals will be displayed during one game that focuses on portion control and calorie count.

The program will be held Wednesday, March 22, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the UMDN School of Health Related Professions, Room 334, 1776 Raritan Road, Scotch Plains.