Star Power: Celebrities Encourage Kids to Exercise & Eat Right
Motivating kids to consume nutritious foods and exercise regularly often requires creativity and persistence. Lately, celebrities have been lending their star power to excite kids across the country about the importance of developing lifelong healthy habits. From athletes to musicians, many famous figures are acting as healthy role models and teaching kids fun exercises and hands-on cooking lessons. Learn how five celebrities are inspiring students to develop healthy habits below:
Beyoncé records a workout video to get kids moving
Back in 2011, Beyoncé remixed one of her popular songs to inspire kids to get up and dance, as part of First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign. Exercise doesn’t have to mean running on the soccer field or riding a bike; dancing to music can be a great way to get kids moving at classroom parties or even at home while cooking dinner. Read the full story in this ABC News article, and watch the video here.
The National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes launch a healthy challenge for local students
This month the Carolina Hurricanes invited 300 North Carolina students to their ice hockey arena for a day of nutrition lessons and fun exercises. As part of the festivities, one of the defensemen explained why his hockey team maintains an active lifestyle, kids were taught fun and easy stretches and a five-week healthy activities challenge was introduced. Learn more here: http://bit.ly/1cn7GRm
Chopped Chef Marco Suarez serves healthy foods to New York students
Last week Chef Marco Suarez visited a New York high school to teach students about the health benefits of eating fish. Chef Suarez cooked up dishes such as a fish and waffle sandwich with coleslaw and sweet potato-encrusted pollock. Some students even had the chance to cook fish tacos with Chef Suarez. http://bit.ly/1aZzwjU
Indiana Middle School students learn about physical activity with the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis’ Brownsburg West Middle School was one of the 2013 NFL PLAY 60 Super School Contest winners, an honor they earned by submitting an essay about how their students stay healthy. Six Colts players visited the school to celebrate the honor with students, which included a Q&A session, a physical education class and other fun fitness activities. Read more about the event: http://bit.ly/17TmUAi
Sesame Street characters promote fresh fruits and vegetables to kids
Back in October, First Lady Michelle Obama and Sesame Street characters announced that Sesame Street would help encourage children to eat more produce to help tackle the childhood obesity epidemic. One recent study showed that kids were much more likely to pick apples as a snack over cookies if the apples had an Elmo sticker on them; the beloved characters could start showing up on grocery store fruits and veggies next year. Learn more: http://1.usa.gov/1jzSTW1
Do you know of any other celebrities who are healthy role models for students or kids? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook or in the comments section below.