Welcome to the Healthy Children Healthy Futures Program. This program guide will help you to facilitate the program with a group of upper elementary or middle school children in an after-school program setting.

The Mission of Healthy Children Healthy Futures:
Healthy Children Healthy Futures and MetLife Foundation have joined forces and are currently implementing a Child Health Initiative intended for underserved young people, ages 9-12, in three of our country's largest urban areas-Atlanta, Los Angeles, and New York. The Initiative, based on the 8 Habits of Healthy Kids^®, provides children in after-school settings with the opportunity to learn about healthy eating and physical activity and motivates them to create compelling messages that encourage their peers to do the same.

8 Habits of Healthy Kids^®
1) Spend at least 1 hour a day being physically active
2) Spend less than 2 hours a day watching TV and playing video and computer games
3) Eat at least a total of 5 fruits and vegetables a day
4) Snack on healthy foods and less junk food and sweets
5) Drink or eat at least 3 low-fat dairy foods a day
6) Drink at least 2 glasses or bottles of water a day instead of soda 7) Eat less fast food (less than 2 times a week) and make better fast food choices
8) Eat smaller portions-bigger is not better
These health messages, by and for children, in the format of posters, radio, and video animation are reviewed by peers and then disseminated through a variety of school-based and community-based organization (CBO) networks.