22nd Kids Fitness & Nutrition Day at UNK: Boosting Nebraska’s Health

22nd Annual Nebraska Kids Fitness and Nutrition Day

You might be curious about the recent activities at the University of Nebraska – Kearney’s (UNK) 22nd Annual Nebraska Kids Fitness and Nutrition Day held on Thursday, Sept. 18. This year, we saw more than 760 fourth-grade students participating from schools in Alma, Amherst, Axtell, Shelton Elm Creek, Franklin, Holdrege, Kearney, and notably, Southern Valley.

Fitness and Nutrition Initiatives for Kids in Nebraska

The UNK Department of Kinesiology and Sport Sciences annually hosts this event to educate children about healthy living habits. This initiative, now in its 22nd year, is designed to be fun and supportive for kids. The program was masterminded by Kate Heelan, PhD, and Kaiti George, LMNT, and implemented by faculty in the Kinesiology and Sport Sciences Department.

UNK’s Dedication to Promoting Health and Wellness

UNK lecturer, registered dietitian, and Loper athletics sports dietitian, Kaiti George, helps organize this event every year. The day’s events start at 9:30 a.m. and end at 1:30 p.m., with students participating in various physical and nutritional activities at Foster Field, Cushing Coliseum, and the Health and Sports Center.

Hands-on Experience for UNK Students

Students are split into two groups, one focusing on physical activities while the other explores five different nutrition stations. The event not only benefits the attending fourth graders but also provides nearly 200 UNK students with hands-on experience in their future professions.

Interactive Learning Experience

The physical activity stations, set up at Foster Field, provide a variety of exercises such as UNO Fitness, Power Ropes, and others led by Health and Physical Education students. The nutrition stations, on the other hand, impart knowledge about energy balance, MyPlate, Portion Distortion, Label Logic, and the importance of food safety and washing hands.

Long-Term Impact of the Fitness and Nutrition Initiative

Kaiti George hopes that the lessons learned during this event will inspire the kids to adopt healthy habits and engage in active play. George appreciates the UNK students’ efforts during the event, saying that their excellent work made the event successful and engaging for the young attendees.

Schools’ Interest in Fitness and Nutrition Day

The event has seen a number of schools participating consistently throughout the years, indicating their commitment to promoting health and wellness among their students. Even when scheduling conflicts arise, schools express their eagerness to attend future events, demonstrating the significant impact of the Nebraska Kids Fitness and Nutrition Day.