According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Empty calories from added sugars and solid fats contribute to 40% of daily calories for children and adolescents age 2–18 years—affecting the overall quality of their diets.” Adolescents in this age range going to high school start to have more responsibility or lack thereof in different areas of life including choosing their diets, which makes nutrition education even more vital.

The Expanded Food Nutrition Education Program bilingual assistant in Boone County collaborated with a local high school Spanish teacher in order to provide the needed education in a classroom setting. In addition to nutrition education, the material was taught in the target language to four different sections of sophomore Spanish classes totaling 89 students. In order to have the proper materials, NEP assistant adapted the adult Spanish Healthy Choices for Every Body curriculum to fit the high school audience. Students were engaging, learning new words, and understanding more about nutrition. Each session included an icebreaker activity, a PowerPoint presentation, and a hands-on cooking demonstration. One student said, “I just love all the things you have taught us. I will definitely bring everything you taught into my daily life!” After the nutrition sessions, 89% (75 of 84) improved their abilities to choose foods according to Federal Dietary Recommendations or gained knowledge.

https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/nutrition/facts.htm

39% (33 of 84) improved in their responses to: Yesterday, how many vegetables?
 48% (40 of 84) improved in their responses to: Yesterday, how many fruits?
 38% (32 of 84) improved in their responses to: Yesterday, how many drinks of milk?
 30% (25 of 84) improved in their responses to: Yesterday, how many sugary drinks?
 42% (35 of 84) improved in their responses to: How often whole grains?
 37% (31 of 84) improved in their responses to: Choose a low-fat food?

Diet Quality

89% (75 of 84) Children and youth improve their abilities to choose foods according to Federal Dietary Recommendations or gain knowledge.