Kids play and the Swift Current United Way Active Play Program wins

The Swift Current United Way Active Play Program wins Speaking of Food and Healthy Living Award

OTTAWA, ON, June 16, 2014 /CNW/ - The Swift Current United Way Active Play Program was recognized by Dietitians of Canada and Kraft Canada, in collaboration with the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP), as the national recipient of the Speaking of Food and Healthy Living Award: Excellence in Consumer Communication.

The Swift Current United Way Active Play Program was awarded for its kid-friendly and collaborative approach to the child-nutrition challenge, which enabled kids to accumulate physical activity through games, exercises, stretches, and activities while learning strategies for eating healthy.

Available to all Swift Current, Saskatchewan students in grades 1-5, the program tackles inactivity and unhealthy eating habits head on with a free, six-week, supervised after-school program encouraging active living and nutritious eating choices among children. Children participate in 60 minutes of fun activities, giving them the opportunity to be physically active, followed by nutritious snacks and nutrition education led by a Registered Dietitian. Students learn about healthy eating, food preparation, label reading and balanced meals.

With funding from a multi-sectorial partnership, the program launched in 2012 with 196 students in 20 programs, but due to overwhelming popularity, the program expanded to 48 programs in the 2013/14 year. When 87% of the participants said the program was fun, and parents reported their children requesting the foods they learned about and tried in the UWAPP, the partners decided to increase the program's reach to middle schools and rural areas of south-west Saskatchewan.

The program's success is attributed to its strong partnerships with the City of Swift Current, the Swift Current United Way, Cypress Health Region, Chinook School Division, Holy Trinity School Division, and Saskatchewan In Motion.

The Speaking of Food and Healthy Living Award: Excellence in Consumer Communication award is designed to encourage and recognize collaborative efforts that help Canadians make informed choices about healthy eating and physical activity.

For a full overview of the winning program visit: http://www.dietitians.ca/About-Us/Media-Centre/Speaking-of-Food-and-Healthy-Living-Award.aspx

Or watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHvkY0bRw-s&feature=youtu.be

About Dietitians of Canada
Dietitians of Canada (DC) is the national professional association representing more than 6000 members at the local, provincial and national levels. DC is one of the largest organizations of dietetic professionals in the world. Visit www.dietitians.ca to find trusted advice on food and nutrition and "Dietitians' Views" on key nutrition issues such as: healthy weights for children, food security, caffeine and health, school nutrition policy, nutrition labelling, organic foods, and much more.

About Kraft Canada
Kraft Canada Inc. one of Canada's leading food and beverage companies, recognizes the importance of healthy living and provides consumers with a wide range of food choices, and practical healthy eating and physical activity information. Visit Kraft Canada's website at www.kraftcanada.com and select Healthy Living, Nutrition Update for Professionals or Diabetes pages for further information.

About Canadian Society of Exercise and Physiology will CSEP
The Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) is the principal body for physical activity, health and fitness research and personal training in Canada.  CSEP fosters the generation, transfer and application of research, education and training related to exercise physiology and science. Made up of health and fitness professionals, the group is dedicated to getting Canadians active safely by providing the highest quality customized and specialized physical activity and fitness programs, guidance and advice based on extensive training and evidence-based research. Visit the CSEP website at www.csep.ca.

SOURCE: Speaking of Food and Healthy Living Award (2014)

For further information:

about the Swift Current United Way Active Play Program contact: Cathy Knox, RD: [e-mail]