On November 26, 2018, Framingham State University student dietitians Gabriella Musto and Jennifer O’Brien presented “Exercise and Sports Performance Nutrition” to 11th and 12th graders of Hanover Public Schools. Promoting balanced nutrition and healthy habits  is vital to students and their overall health, as detailed in the district’s Wellness Policy. Reducing rates of obesity and promoting student wellness can be achieved through advocating for nutrition education and physical activity.

About 81% of the students attending Hanover High School are athletes, making this presentation ideal for this population. Hanover Public School’s collaboration with Framingham State University has allowed student dietitians to educate the students on various topics related to sports nutrition. Topics such as pre- and post-workout nutrition and how to properly fuel your body with food to achieve optimal athletic performance were discussed.

Activities were used to help the students apply what was learned during the class. Students actively participated in a Kahoot quiz game and completed a worksheet titled “Give Me Energy!” where they brainstormed snacks that could be prepared as pre- or post-workout fuel. During the Q&A portion of the presentation, students were engaged in discussions and asked questions regarding various nutrition topics.

Interested in learning more about wellness and nutrition education in schools? Visit The John C. Stalker Institute of Food and Nutrition at Framingham State University. The JSI Resource Center and USDA have resources and information that are useful for school nutrition programs.

Submitted by: Gabriella Musto, Framingham State University Food and Nutrition Graduate Student, Coordinated Program in Dietetics.