Poster Contest Helps Promote Heart Health

North Dakota youth will have a chance to demonstrate their creativity and knowledge of heart health in this spring’s “Eat Smart. Play Hard.” poster contest.

The contest is open to North Dakota youth ages 8 to 19 as of Sept. 1, 2012. Posters will be judged in two age divisions: preteen (ages 8 to 12) and teen (ages 13 to 19).

The North Dakota State University Extension Service, NDSU Extension’s Center for 4-H Youth Development and the North Dakota Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics are sponsoring the contest.

The posters should educate and promote the idea of living a heart-healthy lifestyle. The posters also should inform North Dakota youth and adults about the importance of healthful food choices and regular physical activity to heart health.

This year’s posters must be centered on a theme that directly relates to eating healthful foods and playing hard to promote heart health. This could include the importance of taking part in 60 minutes of physical activity each day or eating a diet rich in whole grains, fruits and vegetables.

To learn more about this topic, visit the following websites: http://www.ndsu.edu/eatsmart, http://www.choosemyplate.gov and http://www.heart.org.

“Many children and adults do not meet the MyPlate.gov recommendations for fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and they do not reach physical activity recommendations,” says Julie Garden-Robinson, NDSU Extension food and nutrition specialist. “We hope this activity gives children the opportunity to promote healthful eating, physical activity and heart health for their peers, families and communities.”

Posters will be judged on their general appearance and how well they present messages about nutrition and/or fitness and the importance of a heart-healthy lifestyle. Winners in both age divisions will receive $50 for first place, $35 for second place and $15 for third place. All entrants will receive a certificate of recognition and a small prize.

“This contest provides an opportunity for children to be creative in promoting nutrition goals that are important for long-term health,” Garden-Robinson says.

To see some winning entries from previous years’ poster contests, visit the “Eat Smart. Play Hard. Together” website at http://www.ndsu.edu/eatsmart.

Entries must be postmarked by March 15, 2013. They should be dropped off at the Center for 4-H Youth Development or mailed to the Center for 4-H Youth Development, Attn: Eat Smart. Play Hard. Poster Contest Entry, FLC 219, NDSU Dept. 7280, P.O. Box 6050, Fargo, ND 58108-6050.

Contest rules are available at http://tinyurl.com/postercontestrules.

A submission cover sheet must accompany each entry. The submission form is at http://tinyurl.com/posterentryform.

“Eat Smart. Play Hard.” is a U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service initiative that focuses on making America’s children healthier. It provides practical suggestions to help children and their caregivers eat a healthful diet and be physically active.