BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA recognizes NATIONAL NUTRITION MONTH
Nation’s Leading Youth Organization Promotes Healthy Lifestyles Through Various Programs and Tips
IRVING, TEXAS (March 7, 2005) — Today in the United States more than 30 percent of children are classified as overweight. As the nation’s leading youth service organization, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is continuing its Good Turn for America pledge of healthy living during National Nutrition Month by showing youth how to live healthy lifestyles.
BSA offers more than 20 health-, nutrition- and fitness-related merit badges, requiring scouts to stay physically strong by eating healthy nutritious foods incorporated with physical activity. More than 4 million Boy Scouts have achieved the cooking merit badge alone, which incorporates nutrition education into the cooking curriculum. During National Nutrition Month, BSA is providing tips on how to adopt and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
“For 95 years, BSA has been dedicated to promoting a healthy lifestyle among American youth,” said Gloria Lundin, Occupational Health Nurse, BSA. “In the past century America has changed and we are now facing a nutrition epidemic that will have implications on our nation’s health for generations to come. The Scout oath includes the promise ‘To keep myself physically strong,’ the BSA remains committed to that principle and is proud to take part in National Nutrition Month. By stressing overall health and general well-being, we believe we can help to encourage youth to lead healthy lifestyles and help reverse obesity trends.”
BSA’s recognition of National Nutrition Month comes on the heels of its announcement of support of U.S. Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona’s 2005 agenda, “The Year of the Healthy Child,” focusing on improving the body, mind, and spirit of the growing child. According to Dr. Carmona, the health needs of children grow into the health problems of adulthood. And, by improving the holistic health of our children, we can ensure a healthier population for the next generation.
In recognition of National Nutrition Month, BSA encourages Americans to live healthy by offering the following healthy eating and lifestyle tips:
• Maximize nutrients: According to the USDA, the majority of adolescents ages 12-19 do not receive the required amounts of a variety of nutrients. A focus of the 2005 Dietary Guidelines includes consumption of food rich in nutrients before eating discretionary or “empty” calories. Eat leafy vegetables, colorful fruits and whole grains that have a variety of nutrients before indulging in sugars and sweets.
• Stay Active: For the first time ever the Dietary Guidelines stress the importance of balancing consumption of nutrient dense foods with maintaining an energy balance. Children are natural explorers and adventurers, parents should encourage children to turn off televisions, computers and video games and enjoy an active lifestyle outdoors. Scouting offers a wide variety of programs like soccer and hiking to keep bodies in motion, resulting in a healthy child.
• Change it Up: Different foods within specific food groups (i.e. carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables and proteins) have various nutrients. Choose a variety of foods from all food groups to ensure a well-balanced diet and to experience a variety of colors, textures and tastes.
• Make it routine: Overweight adolescents have a 70 percent chance of become overweight or obese adults. Parents and adults should start a trend in children’s eating habits. Get into the habit of eating healthy to work toward wellness. In addition to incorporating nutrient rich food into diets, parents should involve their children in the food selection and preparation process.
Serving nearly 4.2 million young people between 7 and 20 years of age with 309 councils throughout the United States and its territories, the Boy Scouts of America is the nation's foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training. For more information on BSA, please visit
www.scouting.org. 
Want to eat right? Going on a diet? Looking for the right exercise equipment? You'll find it all here, even Weight Loss Journals for those who want them!
National Nutrition Month 
Ellen in PA 
And BONUS--that's how he found out that he has a natural ability for distance running. Other Scouts who are cross-country runners encouraged him to stick with it and go out for the team.
