Below are details for the goals and objectives of the nutrition program as defined by the grant.

Section contents:

• Grant Outline
• Goals & Objectives

Grant Outline

Grant: Youth Nutrition Outreach Program

Funding Source: Applied Materials

Target population: 5th graders (10-11 years old)

Past and Current Schools who have Participated:

• Santa Clara: Bowers* and Westwood Elementary
  
• Sunnyvale: Cumberland and Lakewood* Elementary
  
• Mountain View: Bubb and Landels* Elementary

* School receives Title 1 funds

Mission: To improve nutrition and physical activity knowledge and behaviors of 5th graders in six Santa Clara County schools and enable them to develop positive health behaviors and attitudes.

"To foster the development of positive behaviors and the prevention of unhealthy behaviors." (CA schools Health Curriculum)

Program description: The program will be designed to be integrated into the science and/or physical education curriculum. It will consist of a minimum of 8 lessons, tailored to fit into the class period. This is a two-year program that will be provided at no cost to the schools and will be delivered by a nutrition educator.

Evaluation:

• Pre- and post-tests of children and parents to assess a change in knowledge and behavior.
  
• Six month post-intervention follow-up test of parents and children to assess a change in knowledge and behavior.
  
• Teacher surveys will be administered at the beginning, middle and end of the intervention to assess program content and impact.

Language:

• Program will be delivered in the classrooms in English.
  
• All handouts and newsletters, including parent communications, will be available in English and Spanish.

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Goals & Objectives

A. Increase knowledge of benefits of healthy eating.
By the end of the intervention:

1. Students will be able to describe the five food groups by the end of the intervention.
   
   
2. Students will be able to describe at least two health benefits associated with each food group.
   
   
3. Students will know how many foods to consume everyday from each food group.
   
   
4. Students will understand how portion size contributes to healthy eating.
   
   
5. Students will be able to describe a serving size for common foods.
   
   
6. Students will understand what types of juice are healthy and how much juice is appropriate to consume.
   
   
7. Students will understand how calcium and vitamin D contribute to healthy bones and teeth.
   
   
8. Students will be able to describe how carbonated, caffeinated beverages affect their body and brain.
   
   
9. Students will be able to name at least 3 healthy snacks appropriate for school and after school activities.
   
   
10. Students will know how advertising contributes to their food choices.

B. Increase 5th grade student's skills in critical analysis of their diets and physical activity habits.
By the end of the intervention:

1. Students will be able to accurately analyze their diet.
   
   
2. Students will understand where their diets are inadequate and how to improve their diets.
   
   
3. Students will know how to appropriately address barriers to healthy eating at home and at school.
   
   
4. Students will be able to contribute to the advancement of appropriate nutrition and physical activity promotion in their school.

C. Improve the eating habits of 5th grader students.
By the end of the intervention:

1. Students will increase consumption of fruits and vegetables by one serving per day.
   
   
2. Students will increase consumption of calcium-rich products by one serving per day.
   
   
3. Students will decrease soda consumption to one or fewer cans per day.

D. Increase knowledge in the benefits of physical activity.
By the end of the intervention:

1. Students will be able to describe the health benefits of anaerobic activity.
   
   
2. Students will be able to describe the health benefits of aerobic activity.
   
   
3. Students will be able to describe how physical activity benefits their heart, lungs, and bones.

E. Encourage and facilitate parent involvement in teaching healthy lifestyles to their child.
(Note: Final methods of parent involvement will be determined by responses from teacher's surveys)

1. Develop and disseminate a summer newsletter for parents to inform them about the program and generate interest by July 2005.
   
   
2. Build relationships with the PTA as necessary to increase parent comprehension and involvement in the program before and during the program.
   
   
3. Create parent newsletters that detail the intervention lessons and goals that will be mailed bi-weekly during the intervention.
   
   
4. Develop at-home activities that the students will need to present to complete the course.
   
   
5. Develop web-based component to enhance parent involvement prior to commencement of the program.

F. Create a program that will be self-sustaining after termination of grant.

1. Develop effective relationships with schools in order to create a curriculum that meets their needs before the curriculum is designed.
   
   
2. Design a program that will be easy for teachers to integrate into their curriculum.
   
   
3. Design a program that will be consistent with the Wellness Policy that will be required of every school district in the State by 2006 -- (Local Wellness Policy).
   
   
4. Provide training for teachers as to how to integrate the curriculum into their classroom lessons.

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