Good eatin'

Nick Schirripa
The Enquirer

Latin music filled the Lakeview High School gymnasium as dozens of children shook their hips, kicked their feet and waved their arms.

In the high school's kitchen, those same children filed past an aromatic buffet of healthy food before learning about healthy diets.

Saturday was the Junior League of Battle Creek's second annual Kids in the Kitchen event, and some 45 kids and their parents took part in the childhood obesity and nutrition education initiative.

Deb Dingwall, president of the Junior League of Battle Creek, said the program is in its second year and is an attempt to bring more awareness to children's health — particularly childhood obesity — in the Battle Creek area.

"I think it helps the kids understand good nutrition," she said. "It isn't just about food. It's about exercise and even about washing your hands properly."

Dingwall said the Battle Creek event was held as part of a campaign involving more than 230 leagues from The Association of Junior Leagues International Inc. to raise awareness and help reverse the growth of childhood obesity and its associated health issues.

Rick Stover of Pennfield said his daughter, Emma, wanted to come to the event because she already has an interest in eating healthy.

"She's very into wellness," he said. "I'm surprised how aware she is for her age. She has a great awareness of her health."

Emma, 7, was one of dozens of kids in the Lakeview High School gym dancing, jumping and — unbeknownst to the kids — exercising with Dana Wells-Jenney, Zumba instructor from Battle Creek's Family YMCA.

"I'm already into dancing," Emma said between sips from her water bottle. "And I want to eat healthy. I hope to learn how to make some more healthy foods, and to dance."

Wells-Jenney said in addition to the 45 children she saw Saturday, she has between five and 20 children attend her Zumba Latin-American dance exercise class for kids on Mondays at the YMCA.

"They don't realize they're doing exercise," she said. "It's like running for 45 minutes nonstop."

In those 45 minutes, Wells-Jenney said kids can burn 500 calories or more.

Jeff Samson, chef for Malia Foods, taught kids how to eat healthy by helping them make their lunch and learn about different food combinations and kitchen safety.

The children's choices Saturday included fresh sweet corn with roasted peppers, brown rice with cinnamon and cumin and soy-based beef and chicken substitutes.

"We're building here what they'd get at a fast-food place, except it's all fresh," he said. "All of this is just heat and serve. This is all stuff families buy now."

Carol Barr, a dietitian with Battle Creek Health System, talked with children and their parents about making healthy choices every day.

"I think it's important to talk about food," she said. "Food is good and it certainly is a positive thing. We want to encourage people to eat whole and not processed foods."

Barr said it's important to start teaching kids about proper nutrition and diet at an early age.

"The decisions they make today are the decisions that will stay with them for life," said Kate Segal, chairwoman of the Nutrition Project for the Junior League of Battle Creek. "The Junior League of Battle Creek is working to find ways to help our community make healthier choices.

Kids in the Kitchen is just one way to help parents engage their children in making healthy meals and exercising while having fun."

Nick Schirripa can be reached at 966-0692 or nschirrip@battlecr.gannett.com.

Originally published March 9, 2008
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