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- Sign up for Exercise: Prescription for Health Challenge
- U.S. High School Students Are Not Eating Enough Fruits and Vegetables
- Drink Nutrition and Marketing to Children

Sign up for Exercise: Prescription for Health Challenge

The SD Department of Health will be conducting another healthy challenge January 15-February 29. This challenge encourages physical activity to improve your health. The challenge is being conducted in collaboration with the SD State Medical Association but participants do not need an exercise “prescription” to participate. If you have questions about your ability to be physically active, do consult your physician.

The challenge is web-based and each participant needs their own email address to participate. The challenge is open to all South Dakotans who may join as individuals or as part of a team. Sign-up begins now going to the link on www.HealthySD.gov. At the end of challenge 10 randomly selected participants will receive a South Dakota state parks pass. Start the year off right by increasing your physical activity. Exercise is indeed medicine!

U.S. High School Students Are Not Eating Enough Fruits and Vegetables

Childhood obesity has Eating more fruits and vegetables helps reduce the risk of chronic diseases and can help maintain a healthy weight. However, a recent CDC report shows U.S. high school students continue to eat less than the recommended daily amount of both fruits and vegetables.

Among high school students, girls who participate in less than 30 minutes of physical activity each day should eat at least 1.5 cups of fruit and 2.5 cups of vegetables each day. Boys who participate in less than 30 minutes of physical activity each day should eat at least 2 cups of fruit and 3 cups of vegetables each day.

More Information
• Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)
• See the health benefits of eating fruit and vegetables
• Learn more about the Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools campaign.
• Learn more about how schools can promote healthy eating.
• Learn more about the National Farm-to-School initiative.

CDC Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity (DNPAO) focuses on improving our communities to support healthy eating and active living.

Drink Nutrition and Marketing to Children

Sugary drink companies speak to children early, often, and when parents are not looking. Sugary drinks are the most unhealthy food product marketed to children and are relentlessly and aggressively targeted toward them. Food marketing to children negatively influences the dietary choices and the health of society's most vulnerable citizens. Given the childhood obesity epidemic at hand, students need meaningful solutions and real change. You can find a summary of the full report at http://www.sugarydrinkfacts.org/.