Hip Hop H.E.A.L.S.

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Hip Hop H.E.A.L.S. is an interactive, calorie-centered educational program for children and their parents, targeting schools in communities with a disproportionate burden of obesity and its related illnesses. Through the power of hip hop, we deliver messages that stay with the child long after the program ends.

So many inner-city communities lack access to easy and inexpensive healthy food options, and streets are dotted with an array of fast-food restaurants and convenience stores. H.E.A.L.S. focuses on imparting specific behavioral skills that children—and their parents—need in order to make healthy food choices in this kind of environment.

Through fun, interactive hip hop songs, videos and games, Hip Hop H.E.A.L.S. promotes a healthy understanding of calories as food energy and encourages a balance between food consumption and physical activity.  Using a “traffic light” model, which groups foods as “Go”, “Slow” and “Whoa,” we help students to distinguish between calorie and nutrient densities of foods and to simplify the complexity of the calorie message.

Children learn:

• To apply their individual caloric requirement to food and exercise choices.
• To navigate restaurant menu boards and utilize calorie postings to inform food choices.

Parents, for their part, learn:

• To guide their children in making healthier food choices, and
• To make wise choices for themselves and their families.

The goal is to arm and motivate participants to manage their caloric intake and to start and stay on track with a healthy lifestyle.

Interested to find out more?  Do you want to schedule a HEALS program at your school?  Please contact us.

Music Videos (Visit Kids Site for full videos)