National

National

Aim for a Healthy Weight
The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute has an excellent web site for consumers and professionals dedicated to healthy weight. It includes for consumers: a BMI calculator, risk chart, an interactive menu planner, shopping list and ideas, a guide to physical activity, menus, and recipes. For professionals it has a full text of clinical guidelines for obesity, an evidence report, executive summary for the guidelines, and the practical guide. There are also good Palm OS tools and slides for professional use.
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/lose_wt/index.htm

American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD)
AAHPERD supports and assists those involved in physical education, leisure, dance, health promotion, and education and all specialties related to achieving a healthy lifestyle. http://www.aahperd.org/index.cfm

America on the Move
Take simple steps to be more physically active and eat more healthfully. America on the Move is a community-wide program developed to promote increased physical activity. http://www.americaonthemove.org/

American Council for Fitness & Nutrition
A resource and advocate for long-term sustainable solutions to the nation’s obesity problem. http://www.acfn.org/

American Dietetic Association
This national association of nutrition professionals offers many nutrition resources for practitioners, paraprofessionals, and the general public. Website resources include nutrition fact sheets and information about books and other reading materials; information about nutrition and health campaigns; legislative and regulatory information and tools; and more.
www.eatright.org/ (800) 877-1600 Ext 5000

American Diabetes Association
Their mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by this disease. Available in English and Spanish. Visit Youth Zone, a fun, interactive page for kids with information on “Diabetes Basics,” a question and answer section, hyper and hypoglycemia checklists, games, and more.
www.diabetes.org

American Obesity Association
A not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting education, research and community action that can improve the quality of life for people with obesity.
www.obesity.org

American Public Health Association: Food and Nutrition Section: Overweight in Children
This website provides information and links to resources on the subject of being overweight in childhood and adolescence that can be used to promote awareness and education, improve public health practice, and strengthen public policy.
http://aphafoodandnutrition.org/

American School Food Service Association
A great source of information regarding child nutrition education and school meal programs. It also contains research on all facets of the child nutrition field, food service operations information, newest regulations and legislation, and lists of children’s books and worksheets on health and nutrition. www.asfsa.org

American Senior Fitness Association
The Leader in education and professional training and certification for "Older Adult Fitness" specialist. http://www.seniorfitness.net/

Association of State and Territorial Directors of Health Promotion and Public Health Education (ASTDHPPHE)
Contains links to HHS and USDA documents and information on nutrition and health. www.astdhpphe.org/

Bright Futures
Based at Georgetown University and sponsored by National Center for Education in Maternal and Child Health Bureau, this website offers resources for health professionals and families to assist them in fostering overall health among youth. Nutrition and physical activity practice guides, training tools, and family materials are available to help promote healthful weight management.
http://www.brightfutures.org/index.html

CDC's Nutrition and Physical Activity Program
Website contains Pediatric Growth Charts, surveillance data on obesity and diabetes, descriptions of CDC sponsored nutrition and physical activity promotion programs, including "Kids Walk-to-School": A Guide to Promote Walking to School, www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/ and Physical Activity Evaluation Handbook http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/physical/handbook/index.htm

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Division of Child and Adolescent Health
This site offers a rich compilation of up-to-date resources on nutrition, physical activity, and school health. Includes comprehensive resource lists of national and health-related associations. http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dash/

Center for Health Care in Schools
Strengthening the well being of children and youth through health programs in schools. http://www.healthinschools.org/

Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (CNPP)
The Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and is the focal point within USDA where "scientific research is linked with the nutritional needs of the American public." http://www.usda.gov/cnpp/

Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI)
A nonprofit education and advocacy organization that focuses on improving the safety and nutritional quality of our food supply. This website offers education and advocacy materials, and news updates and special reports. www.cspinet.org/

Center for Screen Time Awareness
Home of ‘Turn-Off TV Week’ - Center for SCREEN-TIME Awareness provides information so people can live healthier lives in functional families in vibrant communities by taking control of the electronic media in their lives, not allowing it to control them.  http://www.tvturnoff.org/

Child Nutrition and Health Campaign
Web site part of the American Dietetic Association’s campaign to educate the public about ways to optimize the health and well-being of children through diet and exercise. Includes ADA position papers, games for parents and kids, information about the role of child nutrition programs, and tips on how to be a good role model for children. www.eatright.org/child/

Children’s Books that Encourage Healthy Eating
Developed by the Family Nutrition Education Program at the University of Missouri for educators, parents, and children. http://outreach.missouri.edu/fnep/teaching.htm

Children's Health Market
Children's Health Market publishes "The Great Body Shop", a comprehensive, fully articulated cross-curricular approach for school districts that require additional concentration in one or more of the following specific areas: Substance Abuse Prevention, Social & Emotional Health, Character Education, Violence Prevention (including bullying), Critical Thinking, Asset Building, Reading, Communication, Technology and other learning skills. The program meets all state and national standards, is affordable, easy to teach, and provides an educational environment in which it is enjoyable to learn. http://www.thegreatbodyshop.net/

The Children's Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
Operated by Baylor College of Medicine in cooperation with Texas Children's Hospital and the Agricultural Research Service of the U.S. Dept of Agriculture (USDA/ARS), The Children's Nutrition Research Center (CNRC) is one of six federally funded human nutrition research centers in the nation and the first to conduct scientific investigations into the role of maternal, infant and child nutrition in optimal health, development, and growth. http://www.bcm.tmc.edu/cnrc/

Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity
Of the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Center for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/

Exercise is Medicine™
Calls on physicians to assess & review every patient's physical activity program at every visit. The missions is "To make physical activity and exercise a standard part of a disease prevention and treatment medical paradigm in the United States." Special sections for physicians, health & fitness professionals, public, media, policy makers & advocates, and supporting organizations.
http://www.exerciseismedicine.org

Food and Drug Administration
The Food and Drug Administration web page, "How to Lose and Manage Weight-Watch Your Calories, Be Active" provides tools for consumers to use to achieve and maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle, as well as information about FDA's recently announced program to combat obesity. Special information addresses the important issue of childhood obesity. The website also serves as a gateway to information on obesity and weight loss from other government agencies, such as the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. Topics include "Get Active, Keep Fit, Lose Weight" - "Approved Obesity Treatments" - "You Can Lose Weight - Here’s How" --- "What Are 'Obesity' and 'Overweight" --- "Are You Overweight? Check Your Body Mass Index (BMI)" --- and "Weight Loss for Children". http://www.fda.gov//oc/opacom/hottopics/obesity.html

Food and Nutrition Information Center
The Food and Nutrition Information Center is a national clearinghouse that offers information on a range of topics - http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/ - an up-to-date resource list on eating disorders, and a resource list may be printed from this website

Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)
The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), is responsible for administering the nutrition assistance programs of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The aim of the FNS is to "provide children and low-income families better access to food and a more healthful diet through its food assistance programs and comprehensive nutrition education efforts.  http://www.fns.usda.gov/fns/

4 Girls Health
Developed by the Office on Women’s Health in the Department of Health and Human Services, this site gives girls between the ages of 10 and 16 reliable, current health information. The site focuses on many health topics that respond to adolescent girls’ health concerns and motivates girls to choose healthy behaviors using positive, supportive and non-threatening messages. http://4girls.gov/

Get Ready, Get Set, Get Fit 4 Life!
A preventative outreach project designed to help children thrive, by establishing healthy eating and activity habits in the early years. The series extends nutrition and physical activity training, healthy recipes and resources to providers and families. http://www.everydaylearning.net/getfit

Girl Power
This is the site of a national public education campaign sponsored by the U.S. Department of the Health and Human Services to help encourage and motivate 9- to 14-year old girls to make the most of their lives. Includes information for girls and grownups, as well as research highlights that relate to girl’s health and well-being. www.girlpower.gov

Girl Zone
This is a site targeted to teenage girls that addresses a range of issues, including body changes, self-esteem, peer pressure, physical activity, and diets in an informal and fun way. Girls can learn about the cons of dieting and eating disorders through journals written in teens' own voices. http://www.girlzone.com

Great Schools
A Parent's Guide to K-12 Success. A national, independent nonprofit organization committed to helping parents like you choose schools, support your children's education and improve schools in your community.

There is a healthy kids page that has information on making fitness a part of a family's routine and a section on healthy eating made easy. In addition there is a wealth of information for parents on many topics related to children (ADHD, reading, math, books, etc.). www.greatschools.net

Healthy Kids Challenge
Healthy Kids Challenge mission is to guide schools, communities, and programs in creating solutions to help kids and families Connect Health And Needs, Get Excited (C.H.A.N.G.E.). The success of their initial project involving urban school kids, parents, and teachers in 1998 led to plans for an ongoing initiative, utilizing the vast reach of the magazine and web site to promote and support the effort. http://www.healthykidschallenge.com

Healthy Kids: Health and Nutrition Websites
A web page of many other websites - compiled by U.C. Berkeley Department of Nutritional Sciences Extension department; contains links to games, teaching resources and educational materials for parents, kids and teachers.
http://nutrition.berkeley.edu/extension/ceproj/KidsWebPage/kids.htm

Healthy Start
A comprehensive preschool health education program, includes a curriculum developed for 3-5 year old children in Head Start, day care and other nursery school settings. Curriculum topics include nutrition, safety, self-esteem, body parts, family relations, dental health, daily health care, environment, smoking, alcohol and drug education and violence prevention. www.healthy-start.com

Healthy Weight Network
Weight and eating books and information by recognized scientific experts. The site offers scientific research on dieting, the failure of weight loss programs, eating disorders, obesity, overweight, size acceptance, diet quackery, and moving ahead with the non-diet health at any size paradigm. www.healthyweight.net

Jump Rope for Heart
Developed by the American Heart Association, this program allows kids to build skills and have fun while raising money to support research projects. Jump Rope for Heart is geared for elementary school students. Its sister project, Hoops for Heart, is geared for middle school students.
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=2441

KaBOOM!
It starts with a playground. A national non-profit organization that specializes in linking communities, businesses and organizations together to build needed, safe and accessible playgrounds. The web site offers resources for those interesting in helping a community develop a play space, including a Getting Started Kit, The KaBOOM! Playground Manual, and more. www.kaboom.org

Kidfood.org
A site listing links to topics such as games, healthy eating, healthy snacks, recipes, lesson plans, and food safety.http://kidfood.org/

Kidnetic
A highly interavtive, multi level website with educational tools for kids and parents on topics ranging from indoor and outdoor exercises, and nutrition to moderated message boards. Spearheaded by the International Food Information Council Foundation (IFIC), above. http://www.kidnetic.com/

Knowledge Path: Physical Activity and Children
Website contains links to electronic resources and databases. The knowledge path also contains a bibliography of journal articles, books, and other publications. The information found here is aimed at health professionals, policymakers, educators, coaches, and families.
http://www.mchlibrary.info/KnowledgePaths/kp_phys_activity.html

Meals Matter
This website, developed by The Dairy Council of California, makes MyPyramid and the Dietary Guidelines more useful and actionable for the health professional and consumer. Meals Matter assists the family meal preparer in making informed decisions that lead to optimal health, and registered dietitians to create practical and nutritionally accurate tools customizable to unique family needs and interests. The Meal Planning Tools — Cookbook, Meal Planner, Meal Suggestions, Pantry, Recipes and Shopping List — provide a range of useful features to make planning healthy meals easier. http://www.mealsmatter.org/index.aspx

National Association for Health & Fitness
The National Association for Health and Fitness (NAHF) is a non-profit organization that exists to improve the quality of life for individuals in the United States through the promotion of physical fitness, sports and healthy lifestyles. NAHF accomplishes this work by fostering and supporting Governor’s and State Councils and coalitions that promote and encourages regular physical activity.
http://www.physicalfitness.org/

National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE)
A national organization that seeks to enhance knowledge and professional practice in sport and physical activity through scientific study and dissemination of research-based and experiential knowledge to members and the public. The website includes many resources including publications, programs, advocacy materials, and more. http://www.aahperd.org/naspe/

National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity
NCPPA is a national network of public, private, and industry organizations seeking to increase physical activity in America through physical fitness, sports, physical education, and worksite health promotion. Website contains "key facts" about physical activity, links and information for coalition member organizations, and instructions for joining the e-newsletter. www.ncppa.org/

National Gardening Association
The National Gardening Association is a nonprofit organization established in 1972 to help gardeners, and to help people through gardening. More than 30 years later, we are still doing both. While our goals have been consistent over time, how we achieve them has shifted in response to a socially, culturally, and technologically changing world. http://garden.org/

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Website allows easy access to information contained in The Clinical Guidelines on the Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults: The Evidence Report, produced by the NHLBI in cooperation with the NIDDKD. Topics addressed in the Clinical Guidelines include the health risks associated with overweight and obesity, as well as the assessment, treatment, and management of overweight and obese patients. www.nhlbi.nih.gov/

National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA)
A national nonprofit organization devoted to advancing park, recreation and conservation efforts that enhance the quality of life for all Americans. NRPA encourages recreation initiatives for youth in high-risk environments, the promotion of healthy lifestyles, and conservation of natural and cultural resources. http://www.activeparks.org/

North American Association for the Study of Obesity (NAASO)
An interdisciplinary society whose purpose is to develop, extend and disseminate knowledge in the field of obesity. The website contains links to related organizations, obesity journals, research centers. www.naaso.org/

Nutrition Central
Nutrition Central is designed for parents and educators to locate food and nutrition education resources for preschoolers. http://nutrition.central.vt.edu/ (NOTE: if this link fails, click here > http://spec.lib.vt.edu/culinary/Nutrition.Central/disclaimer.html

Nutrition Explorations
Sponsored by the National Dairy Council, this site offers fun and easy ways to learn about nutrition. http://www.nutritionexplorations.org/

Nutrition & Kids
Nutrition & Kids offers hands-on educational materials on proper nutrition and health for children so that they will motivate themselves to instill healthy eating habits. http://www.nutritionandkids.net/10942/

Nutrition for Kids!
Website that contains nutrition information designed for parents, teachers, and kids. Subscribe to the free electronic monthly newsletter at this site. Developed by Connie Evers, MS RD. nutritionforkids.com

Nutrition Navigator
A review and rating guide to nutrition web sites, designed to help people find accurate, useful nutrition information on the web. Separately rates nutrition sites targeting women, parents, journalists, educators, kids, and those with special dietary needs. www.navigator.tufts.edu/

NUTRITION.GOV
A new federal resource that provides easy access to all online federal government information on nutrition, including specialized nutrition information for infants and children, adult women and men, and seniors. Includes extensive interactive scientific reference section. http://www.nutrition.gov/

NIH Senior Health
Exercise information for older adults.   http://nihseniorhealth.gov/exercise/toc.html

Portion Distortion
Anyone eating on the run or at restaurants has probably noticed that food portions have gotten larger. Some portions are called "super size," while others have simply grown in size and provide enough food for at least two people. With this growth have come increases in waistlines and body weight. Take this short quiz to see if you know how today's portions compare to the portions available 20 years ago. http://hin.nhlbi.nih.gov/portion/

President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
The President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (PCPFS) serves as a catalyst to promote, encourage, and motivate the development of physical fitness and sports participation for all Americans of all ages. This site offers many downloadable research-based publications for youth and adults.
http://www.fitness.gov

Prevention Institute
Prevention Institute is a non-profit national center dedicated to improving community health and well-being by building momentum for effective primary prevention. Primary prevention means taking action to build resilience and to prevent problems before they occur. The Institute's work is characterized by a strong commitment to community participation and promotion of equitable health outcomes among all social and economic groups. Since its founding in 1997, the organization has focused on injury and violence prevention, traffic safety, health disparities, nutrition and physical activity, and youth development.
http://www.preventioninstitute.org/home.html

Road to Life (Cancer Prevention for Kids)
This organization's mission is to eradicate preventable cancer and diseases of excess by educating children about tobacco use, physical activity, and nutrition. http://www.roadoflife.org

The Safe Routes to School Program
Safe Routes to School, a program of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), is established for the benefit of children in kindergarten through eighth grade. The purposes of the program are: to enable and encourage children, including those with disabilities, to walk and bicycle to school; to make bicycling and walking to school a safer and more appealing transportation alternative, thereby encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle from an early age; and to facilitate the planning, development, and implementation of projects and activities that will improve safety and reduce traffic, fuel consumption, and air pollution in the vicinity (approximately 2 miles) of primary and middle schools (Grades K-8).
http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/saferoutes/index.htm

State Health Facts Online
The Kaiser Family Foundation's new Comprehensive Health Policy Resource Site. This online resource provides comprehensive and current health policy information on all 50 states, the District of Columbia and US territories. The site provides a wealth of information on demographics, health, and health policy, including health coverage, access, financing, and state legislation. www.statehealthfacts.kff.org

The Sustainable Communities Network
This website links citizens to resources and one another in creating healthy, vital, and sustainable communities. http://www.sustainable.org/

Team Nutrition
Website that has an extensive nutrition and physical activity resource section for teachers and students. www.fns.usda.gov/tn/

USDA for Kids
Many links to kid-oriented information on foods, nutrition, agriculture, science, 4-H, soil and more. www.usda.gov/news/usdakids/index.html

US Department of Health and Human Services
An online encyclopedia of health information, dietary guidelines, and links to pages for children. This site links to several multi-agency health initiatives and activities of federal departments and agencies. http://www.health.gov/