Motivation Insights - get inspired, inspire others!
View All Blog Articles | View All Motivation Articles

5-2-1-0 Let’s Go!

Recently, Chris Weithman, HMR’s resident dietitian, blogged about the childhood obesity dilemma that we’re seeing all over the news. She asked the question, “How can families and communities work together to turn this bad news around and work to prevent it from getting worse?”

 

Good news is that as a mother of 3 young children in a Maine school system, I am lucky that the kids in my town are working on their ABCs, 123s, AND 5-2-1-0. The 5-2-1-0 Let’s Go program is a nationally recognized childhood obesity prevention program designed to increase healthy eating and active living.

The program endorses the "5-2-1-0" theme, which emphasizes the importance of:

 

  • 5 - Eating at least 5 servings of fruits & vegetables a day.
  • 2 - Limiting screen time to two hours or less daily.
  • 1 - Participating in at least one or more hours of physical activity every day.
  • 0 - Encouraging water and low-fat or fat-free milk instead of soda and sugar-sweetened drinks.
     

5210 lets go


It works because the message is SIMPLE and it’s connected across the community. The kids are hearing 5-2-1-0 at school and when they go to their annual pediatrician appointment, they are hearing the same message there. It’s bridging the gap between school, home, and community.

This focus on healthy behaviors at the school has also made its way home and has had a very positive impact on my family! This year my daughter’s 1st grade gym class has been doing a jump rope module and she has not put the jump rope down! Last week she could only jump rope 8 times in a row and as of this morning, she was up to 27. She is begging to get to the bus stop early so she can jump rope while she waits. Remember…we live in Maine…its winter… and she is STILL out there jump roping in 10 degree weather with hat, mittens, and a scarf!! Parent volunteers also help out at recess by holding the jump rope for kids so they can continue to work on these skills and have fun! Her excitement has inspired me to buy a jump rope because I forgot what a fun and simple form of exercise it could be!

There are many events planned through the school year to support this effort and help kids develop lifelong healthy habits. Follow me along as my family takes on many of these initiatives.

To see more about the 5-2-1-0 program, watch this video.
 
 

 

by KimG on 01/26/2012 | Share Story With a Friend

tags: nutrition

About the Author

Kim Gambardella

Kim has managed the HMR Consumer Department since 2001. She loves to run, scrapbook, and read. Kim strives to be a healthy role model for her kids by showing them fun ways to engage in exercise and how to make healthy food choices.

Comments (6) Post a comment
Kim, that is so awesome! I love the simplicity of it and its something that kids can get really excited about. My daughter's first grade class is hosting a jump roping fundraiser to raise money for heart conditions in children. My daughter is participating in this and jump roping her heart out too! There is a big jump roping event at the school to support this drive on the 17th. I am getting into the jump roping too. Great exercise. Thanks for the great blog!
by jennyb on 02/02/2012
Great Blog! I look forward to more! Thanks, Kim.
by pcgoah on 01/27/2012
Great blog, Kim. I'm joining the grandkids and becoming a 5-2-1-0 guy!!
by ChezRay on 01/26/2012
Thanks for sharing Kim. What a great program!! Looking forward to reading more of your blogs!
by HMRrunner17 on 01/26/2012
Kim, this is so wonderful to hear that your community is doing this! As mentioned, we hear so much about childhood obesity in our country. What better place than in our schools to further educate children about healthy eating. It seems like it is really working in your household. I hope that every community will start to take on this approach. Thanks for sharing.
by debbiec on 01/26/2012
Can't wait to follow this blog and learn more about what kind of new initiatives your family takes on! Thanks, Kim!
by sailGirl on 01/26/2012