Agenda - 03-17-2009-13-2 Information Item 2

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Zn~o f rrr~ g ~}' r on Z ~" 2 m Orange County Health Department •e~~tM Celebrates National Nutrition Month® rig • March 2009• Eat Right• American Dietetic Association National Nutrition Month® (NNM) is a nutrition education and information campaign sponsored annually by the American Dietetic Association which is the nation's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The campaign focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. Registered Dietitian Day, celebrated March 1 lth, increases awareness of registered dietitians as the indispensable providers of food and nutrition services and recognizes RDs for their commitment to helping people enjoy healthy lives. The theme for 2009 is "Eat Right. ". The American Dietetic Association encourages all Americans to eat right and stay fit no matter what your age. Help yourself feel your best by making healthy food choices and being physically active every day. This year's theme provides specific tips including how to make your calories count, focusing on variety, understanding healthy fats in the diet, and how to incorporate more physical activity for fitness and good health. Orange County Health Department's Promotion of National Nutrition Month®• • Health Clinics: Promotion with educational displays and materials, recipes, games for clients. • Community Seminars: The health department's Registered Dietitians will offer seminars to seniors on "Eating Right for Older Adults" and also for parents of children enrolled in the PreK/Headstart programs of Orange County on "Eating Right for Preschoolers". • Eat Right Challenge for Health Department Employees: Employees have been challenged to track their exercise, intake of water, fruits, and vegetables for the entire month of March. • Media Promotion: print articles in the employee newsletter and local newspapers; emails to county employees, coalition groups and school officials to spread the word. Orange Country Health Department Programs to Promote Health and Wellness• • Clinical Nutrition Services: provides individual nutrition counseling to clinic clients and those referred by community medical providers. • Community Nutrition/Health Education Programming: Offers asix-week diabetes program and nutrition-related classes for seniors with the Department on Aging, provides interactive educational health exhibits at community events, and conducts seminars on how to establish better eating and physical activity habits. • Community Coalitions: coordinates Healthy Carolinians: a network of agencies and citizens who work collaboratively to find creative solutions to the top health concerns in the county and promote health and wellness for all residents. Provides technical assistance to the Orange County Partnership for Young Children, regarding child overweight and obesity initiatives. Serves on the Orange County Schools and Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools' School Health Advisory Committees. Participates on the county's In Home Breastfeeding Support Program. • Employee Wellness: Coordinating and conducting programs with human resources department to improve healthy behaviors. • Upcoming Initiatives and Programs: Healthy Carolinians is working on a Healthy Kids Healthy Community initiative to increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables through community gardens. The group is also developing a Referral Guide of Nutrition and Physical Activity Resources in the county, a Pediatric Obesity Evidence-Based Tool Kit and training for pediatricians, and acounty-wide Consistent Messaging Campaign around healthy eating and physical activity. For more information about National Nutrition Month®, please refer to the American Dietetic Association, www.eatri.hg_t.or~ or contact Renee Kemske, MPH, RD, LDN, Registered Dietitian, Orange County Health Department, rkemske(a~co.orange.nc.us.