Kids Teaching Kids About Healthy Food Choices

HOUSTON, April 20, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Spring Branch Independent District high school students will prepare healthy, nutritious recipes of their own creation for some of the toughest judges around – elementary school students – at the kids teaching kids^sm cooking demonstration this Friday, April 21 from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Spring Branch ISD's Guthrie Center.

A partnership between HCA Gulf Coast Division's West Houston Medical Center and The Woman's Hospital of Texas, Spring Branch Independent School District, and the Greater Houston Restaurant Association, kids teaching kids^sm aims to educate and engage students about better nutrition. Registered Dietitians work with high school culinary students to create a recipe book for elementary school students full of healthy, flavorful snacks featuring fruits and vegetables. Every elementary student in Spring Branch ISD will be given a student designed snack book and encouraged to participate in the 21-Day Challenge this fall.

"Obesity is not only a problem for adults in this country, but also for children," said Ashley McClellan, CEO of The Woman's Hospital of Texas, one of the event's sponsors through its pediatric center. "We now see children with Type II diabetes. Teaching children how to choose and prepare healthy, delicious snacks is one way to address this problem."

Megan Marrietta, CEO of West Houston Medical Center, agreed, saying, "Children today are often less physically active than previous generations.  The lack of consistent exercise is reflected in their general health. Learning to make healthier food choices and increasing physical activity is very important for all children."

Spring Branch ISD's culinary arts students will create 20 recipes for the kids teaching kids^sm recipe book, which will be published and distributed to Spring Branch ISD elementary students in the fall. Forty students from Pine Shadows Elementary, Wilchester Elementary and Thornwood Elementary will attend the cooking demonstration and taste test the dishes. The students are all members of their schools' Kids School Health Advisory Councils. Photography students at Spring Branch will also be taking photos for the recipe book at the event.

"Today, we're teaching more than reading, writing and arithmetic," said Spring Branch ISD Superintendent Dr. Scott R. Muri. "We are also teaching life skills, and one of the most important skills is knowing how to choose and prepare nutritious food that will help our kids live long, healthy lives. Educating them in how to make the right choices starts early. Programs like kids teaching kids^sm are invaluable for doing this."

About HCA Gulf Coast Division
HCA Gulf Coast Division is a comprehensive network of hospitals, outpatient surgery centers, emergency centers, and diagnostic imaging facilities. It offers a complete continuum of specialized health programs and services that meet the needs of Greater Houston and South Texas' residents and businesses. HCA affiliated facilities in the Gulf Coast Division include: 13 hospitals, 8 ambulatory centers, 6 off-campus emergency centers, and a regional transfer center that provides one-phone-call access and support for patient transfers into and out of the HCA Gulf Coast Division Affiliated Hospitals, as well as access to ground and air transportation within a 150-mile radius. For more information, visit online at www.HCAGulfCoast.com.

About Spring Branch ISD
Spring Branch ISD (SBISD) is recognized as one of the top public school districts in the nation. We continue to attract young families – including returning sons and daughters who grew up here – who rank quality education and programs of choice as top priorities. We are on a journey to transform our school district and the learning experience for EVERY CHILD and EVERY LEARNER under the district's five-year plan, known as The Learner's Journey. Our district goal is for all graduates to successfully complete a technical certification, military training, or a two-year or four-year degree. In SBISD, we call this ambitious singular aim for all our T-2-4 goal. Come join us!

Kim Mathes
Division Director of Community & Public Relations
HCA Gulf Coast Division
713-852-1528 (office)
831-294-1064 (cell)
[email protected]

Steve Brunsman
Spring Branch ISD
Communications Director
713.251.2465 (Work)
713.516.0607 (Cell)
[email protected]

SOURCE HCA Gulf Coast Division

Related Links

http://hcagulfcoast.com