Youth Development

Bi-County Fair September 2-6, 2010
Bi-County Fair marks the end of the 4-H year. Live stock are ready to be judged as to who has the most finished product according to the livestock judge and finished indoor projects are entered for judging and blue ribbon projects are entered at the New Mexico State Fair. More than 200 live stock (swine, steers, lambs and goats) and 115 rabbits and chickens entered the show ring this year at Bi-County Fair (McKinley and Cibola Counties). The shelves of the 4-H room were lined with 286 completed projects by members from both counties. Agents from both McKinley and Cibola provided support to youth in various projects (live stock, indoor projects, etc,) throughout the 4-H year or as the need arises.

Youth Nutrition
Childhood overweight and obesity are increasing, and the status of our children’s health is declining. There is little doubt that the majority of children eat considerably more calories than required to maintain their ideal weight. To combat this problem home economist, nutrition educators, school staff and other agencies have teamed up to provide instruction on nutrition for health maintenance and disease prevention. KidsCAN programs teach children healthy habits such as: limiting fried foods (fast food/supersize it), sugar and other unhealthy products, participating in regular physical activities, and to choose healthy snack foods such as; fruit, vegetables and yogurt. The children are provided with hand on activities (preparing healthy snacks, learning about MyPyramid, participate in nutrition games, etc.) and regular physical activities and healthy eating practices that will help decrease their risk for chronic diseases and live healthier and longer lives. All of the programs mentioned above include the New Mexico Performance Standards and Benchmarks adopted August 1996 as part of 6NMAC3.2. This year about 2,764 children and their teachers from 16 McKinley County schools and Bureau of Indian Education completed 4 lessons in one or more nutrition programs. Each child received special certificates for each program completed (Eat Smart, Play Hard, Team Nutrition, or Cooking With Kids. One time lessons were also provided for 452 youth in the 2009-2010 school years at the Zuni Head Start program. Evaluation was given to students third-eighth grades and sent to ICAN Specialist for review and reporting purposes. Teachers and parents noted that students were more aware of the foods they are eating, preparing healthy snacks, and are in fact changing their eating habits to include more fruits and vegetables. With proper training on nutrition, serving sizes, exercise, avoiding fried foods and sugar overweight children are more likely to lose weight and suffer less from negative self image, depression, and eating disorders.

Zuni Youth "Nutrition, Healthy Snacks, and More!"
According to the National Health and Nutrition survey obesity is a serious health concern for all children and adolescents. About 39% or American Indian children 5-18 years old were found to be overweight or at risk for overweight. The Zuni Food Distribution, McKinley County Home Economist and CDE submitted a youth grant proposal to provided 2 workshops of "Nutrition, Healthy Snacks, and More!". The grant was awarded in August and planning began with all parties involved. The first 2 hour workshop was held on September 9, 2010 and the second was held on September 16, 2010 in the community of Zuni. 40 youth learned how to prepare health snacks, learned about MyPyramid, learned about serving sizes, learned about avoiding fried foods and sugar, and learned the importance of exercising 60 minutes per day. The Food Distribution Program also provided each participant who attended with a backpack of wonderful incentatives that were purchased through the nutrition grant. Short, medium, and long term objectives were met. Evaluation was provided by the Zuni Food Distribution Program and are pending results. The workshops were successful and well attended.

Zuni Youth "Nutrition, Healthy Snacks, and More!"
According to the National Health and Nutrition survey obesity is a serious health concern for all children and adolescents. About 39% or American Indian children 5-18 years old were found to be overweight or at risk for overweight. The Zuni Food Distribution, McKinley County Home Economist and CDE submitted a youth grant proposal to provided 2 workshops of "Nutrition, Healthy Snacks, and More!". The grant was awarded in August and planning began with all parties involved. The first 2 hour workshop was held on September 9, 2010 and the second was held on September 16, 2010 in the community of Zuni. 40 youth learned how to prepare health snacks, learned about MyPyramid, learned about serving sizes, learned about avoiding fried foods and sugar, and learned the importance of exercising 60 minutes per day. The Food Distribution Program also provided each participant who attended with a backpack of wonderful incentatives that were purchased through the nutrition grant. Short, medium, and long term objectives were met. Evaluation was provided by the Zuni Food Distribution Program and are pending results. The workshops were successful and well attended.

Crownpoint OYD Boys and Girls Club
Childhood obesity is a serious health issue that is not going away any time soon. The most recent trend has led First Lady Michelle Obama to launch a nationwide campaign against childhood obesity through increased physical activity and healthier food choices. Healthy nutrition begins with a variety of foods that provide all the nutrients needed to maintain a healthy body. By fostering a new generation of healthy eaters who might then go on to teach their own children to make good food choices we are one step ahead of the game. 15 Native American youth attended the first nutrition session on September 17 at the Crownpoint Boys and Girls Club. The youth learned about MyPyramid: serving sizes, exercise, etc., and they were treated to several different foods they had tasted for the first time. Following the tasting they prepared a recipe they prepared by the kids with adult supervision. The activities were led by the Home Economist and three volunteers from the Boys and Girls Club. The kids enjoyed and gained knowledge that they can share with their family and friends. Evaluation was not given because of the age and reading level of the students. Building healthy families is a step by step process but, by reaching youth at a young age we can start them on the healthy path sooner than later.