Boy Scouts of America Recognizes National Nutrition Month

Nation's Leading Youth Organization Promotes Healthy Lifestyles Through Various Programs and Tips

Today in the United States more than 30 percent of children are classified as overweight. As the nation's leading youth service organization, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is continuing its Good Turn for America pledge of healthy living during National Nutrition Month by showing youth how to live healthy lifestyles.

BSA offers more than 20 health-, nutrition- and fitness-related merit badges, requiring scouts to stay physically strong by eating healthy, nutritious foods incorporated with physical activity. More than four million Boy Scouts have achieved the cooking merit badge alone, which incorporates nutrition education into the cooking curriculum. During National Nutrition Month, BSA is providing tips on how to adopt and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

In recognition of National Nutrition Month, BSA encourages Americans to live healthy by offering the following healthy eating and lifestyle tips:

According to the USDA, the majority of adolescents ages 12 to 19 do not receive the required amounts of a variety of nutrients. A focus of the 2005 Dietary Guidelines includes consumption of food rich in nutrients before eating discretionary or "empty" calories. Eat leafy vegetables, colorful fruits and whole grains that have a variety of nutrients before indulging in sugars and sweets.

Want to see more?

• Making Your Child a Happy Camper
• 2005 Dietary Guidelines
• 7 (Sometimes Surprising) Secrets to Stop Childhood Obesity
• Talk about it!