GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan, Aug. 14, 2024 – The new school year is here and it’s an exciting time for students, educators and parents, and a perfect time to refocus and reprioritize healthy habits. The American Heart Association, the leading voluntary health organization devoted to a world of longer, healthier lives for all, says it’s important to develop healthy habits at a young age given that the early years play a vital role in the development of health-related behaviors that carry into adolescence and adulthood.

The Association reminds parents and children to eat a healthy diet, get moving, avoid smoking and vaping, get 7 to 9 hours of sleep on school nights, maintain a healthy body weight, and know your blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose numbers no matter your age.

Back to school also means the chaos that comes with after-school activities and managing schedules and routines. The American Heart Association recommends healthy children follow a balanced diet that includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy sources of protein. Each meal should include at least one fruit or vegetable and should include foods low in saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, salt (sodium) and added sugars. 

Once again, this fall, all pre-K to 12th-grade students in Michigan are going back to school with no-cost breakfast and lunch thanks to renewed funding in the state budget approved this summer. Lawmakers approved $200 million to continue the successful Healthy School Meals for All program for the 2024-25 school year.

“Providing no-cost, healthy meals again this year means we are giving our students the tools they need to succeed inside and outside the classroom,” said Mary Darnton, food service director for Jenison and Hudsonville Public Schools. “We applaud lawmakers for helping us ensure children continue to be fed for success.”

Like improved nutrition, the benefits of physical activity for children include better grades, school attendance and classroom behavior. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ latest Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans[1] only 20% of kids get enough activity to meet physical activity recommendations. Physical activity can also help kids feel better, improve mental health, build self-esteem, and decrease and prevent conditions such as anxiety and depression[2].

School-age kids and teens ages 6-17 should try to get at least 60 minutes per day of moderate- to vigorous-intensity activity. It can be broken up into shorter sessions throughout the day. Schools are a critical link in providing the foundation for cardiovascular wellness in our country by helping students develop healthy habits at an early age.

Parents can also help get kids excited through the American Heart Association’s Kids Heart Challenge. The program for elementary schools offers four physical activations to get students’ hearts pumping: jumping rope, practicing basketball skills, dancing or completing an obstacle course. The curriculum prepares kids for success by supporting their physical and emotional well-being, offers new learning resources and physical activities to meet the needs of today’s youth and educators. The American Heart Challenge is a complementary program tailored to middle and high school students.

Parents and schools in Michigan who are interested in bringing the American Heart Association’s in-school programs to their children should visit www.heart.org/getstarted.  

Additional resources:


###
 

About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for a century. During 2024 - our Centennial year - we celebrate our rich 100-year history and accomplishments. As we forge ahead into our second century of bold discovery and impact our vision is to advance health and hope for everyone, everywhere. Connect with us on heart.orgFacebookX or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.   
 

For Media Inquiries:
Matt Johnson, Communications Director, West Michigan; matt.johnson@heart.org
Sarah Rood, Marketing/Communications Director, Southeast Michigan; sarah.rood@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org

 

[1] Department of Health and Human Services, Physical Activity Guidelines, page 14. Available for download here: https://health.gov/paguidelines/default.aspx

[2] Department of Health and Human Services, Physical Activity Guidelines, page 14. Available for download here: https://health.gov/paguidelines/default.aspx