TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama’s Health Communication Lab, located in the College of Communication and Information Sciences, will offer a free child nutrition camp July 14-17.
“The purpose of this camp is to educate children about the ways they can be more proactive in their own health and well-being and give them the information they need to make better choices,” said Dr. Kim Bissell, director of UA’s Health Communication Lab.
“I think it all comes down to awareness,” Bissell said. “If you are aware of what you are eating or doing, it’s easier to make a change or to say, ‘Well, maybe that’s not the best choice for me, but this is a better choice.’”
The camp is for children ranging from those who have completed kindergarten through grade 5. There will be two, three-hour sessions held each day from 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. Children are invited to choose one session to attend.
The nutrition camp will teach children about reading nutrition labels, making healthy food choices, staying active outside of school and reading food messages in advertising.
Bissell also will introduce children to the Track My Plate iPad app. She received a grant from the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication to develop and test the app.
Parents may drop off their children at the Walk of Champions, in front of Bryant-Denny Stadium, 10-15 minutes before the start of their child’s session, which will be held in Reese Phifer Hall. A lab assistant will meet and escort the children to and from the lab.
Each child will be required to have a consent form signed by a parent at drop-off. Children may be picked up at the Walk of Champions after the session ends.
For more information or to register, contact Dr. Kim Bissell at kbissell@ua.edu or 205/348-8247. Space is limited, so advance registration is required.
Contact
Misty Mathews, UA Media Relations, 205/348-6416, mmathews@ua.edu
Source
Dr. Kim Bissell, 205/348-8247, kbissell@ua.edu