Programs

We believe that small changes cumulatively add up to huge results. Students learn and practice new behaviours so that they become habits. Parents learn what foods to buy and eat. ‘NSTEP teaches the school community to EAT, WALK and LIVE.

• EAT — More from the Four Food Groups (Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating)
• WALK — more than before
• LIVE — longer, LIVE healthier

The result of this is Be Smarter — strong research between academic performance nutrition and activity.

Elementary Schools – ‘NSTEP EAT WALK LIVE

‘NSTEP EAT WALK LIVE was developed to build sustainability and capacity through professional development for teaching staff and classroom follow-up visits. Through fun and interactive games tailored to each grade, students learn about nutrition and physical activity. These games and activities are taught by both the teacher and ‘NSTEP coordinators.

Students also participate in Snack Attacks, where student leaders from upper level classes (grades 4+) are taught how to make a healthy snack. These student leaders then go teach their class, who then go and share their knowledge with their little buddies in K-3. This fosters a positive learning environment and student leadership within the school community.

Parents education is included in the program through newsletters. Simple assessment tools are used with the students to track eating and activity habits, and results are reported back to both the school and parents. Many of the assessment tools are linked to other areas of the school curriculum, like math and computer science. For example, results from the “Snack Tracker” can be analyzed and turned into a bar or pie graph.

Employee Wellness

The employee wellness program was designed to educate parents in their workplace. There are 4 seminars in the Employee Wellness program.

• Food Awareness — increases food awareness and discussing the basics about nutrition and physical activity. Includes portion size, the link between inactivity and health problems, and easy ways to live a healthy lifestyle.
• Food for Thought — discussion about brain food and simple ideas to increase brain function through food and activity.
• Junk Sleep and Overeating — defining “good sleep” and foods that promote good sleep, the link between “junk” sleep and overeating, and physical activity and sleep.
• “FATA”base — discussion about salt, sugar and fat, and healthier “fast food”

High School Presentations

High school students do not always make the best choices when it comes to food. Through health fairs, community events with Public Health Nurses and group presentations, there are many ways to reach this group of students. A few of the presentations ‘NSTEP presents to high school students are:

• “Ups and Downs of Sugar”
• “Junk-Sleep and Overeating”
• “Portion Distortion”

For more information on any of these programs, contact Deb Hymers at deb.hymers@nstep.ca or 403.870.5448