Establishing healthy choices
Print
EmailWhen you support MSU Extension, you educate your community about making healthy decisions.
Making healthy choices the easy choices
Policy, Systems and Environmental (PSE) change focuses on making healthy choices the easy choice. Of the many influences on our young people, the social and physical environment play a substantial role in the choices they make and their health outcomes.
Each year schools are offered the opportunity to apply for a grant to help make their environment healthier. The Fuel Up to Play 60 (FUTP60) is a national program that is funded by the National Dairy Council and the National Football League in collaboration with the U. S. Department of Agriculture. This collaboration helps support schools nutritionally and physically. Research shows that by having healthier eating choices and being encouraged to get at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day the students reach higher levels of school achievement. Michigan State University Extension has partnered with the United Dairy Industry of Michigan in order to provide more support and guidance to the teachers, staff and students in the FUTP60 schools.
In 2017, MSU Extension Health & Nutrition Program Instructor, Bonnie Havlicek, worked with school staff on implementing small changes to the school environment so that healthy choices are the easiest choices for students and staff. As a result, Carson City students used grant money to purchase a new space saving, easy access milk cooler and to continue a school garden. Central Montcalm students are now focusing on initiatives promoting healthy breakfast and encouraging activity.
