School Nutrition - Online Certificates in Nutrition, Fitness, and Hea

The Online OPEN ENROLLMENT Certificate in School Nutrition and Wellness has been designed to help counteract the current health status of today’s youth. With nearly 20% of America's children overweight or obese, effective health and nutrition education and school wellness policies will be critical for reversing this serious problem. The health status of America’s youth will directly impact our nation's health care system, available labor pool, and national priorities for years to come. This Certificate program is appropriate for anyone concerned with child health and education including:

School Administrators
Teachers
Health Educators
Nutritionists
Nurses
Allied Health/Medical and Fitness Professionals
Food Service Providers
Caregivers
PTA Members
Parents

With the knowledge gained through this program, participants will feel confident leading or participating in effective wellness committees, modeling optimal eating behaviors, and making your school and community environment healthy and positive.

   Click here to review a detailed Certificate Program Fact Sheet.
   Click here for a list of CECs/CEUs.

Certificate Course Descriptions

Course 1: School Wellness and Nutrition - Problems and Effective Solutions
Instructor: Christen Cooper, MS, RD
This course provides background on government nutrition programs for children, and the political and budget constraints that have hindered advancement in nutritional science. It also provides knowledge about the foods served at school and why vending machines and junk foods have become staples at many schools. Finally, the course looks at the parental, community, marketing, and school-based influences on childhood nutrition.

Course 2: Developing School Wellness-Children Nutritional Programs
Instructor: Christen Cooper, MS, RD
This course will look at the changing food environment in the U.S., including Mrs. Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign, changes in the school lunch program, and examines school gardens as well as the organic and green movement. It will discuss the three steps to successful nutrition education and ideas for incorporating nutrition and fitness education into the school day. It will ask participants to think creatively about the best ways to reach kids through positive food, fitness and health behaviors.