[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17461]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       KIDS TEACHING KIDS PROGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 4, 2015

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of 
the Kids Teaching Kids program within Medical City Children's Hospital 
which was created in 2010. Tonight, Kids Teaching Kids holds its 21 Day 
Challenge kickoff event, where eight Dallas area superintendents and 
community leaders will join together to teach kids healthy snacking 
habits.
  During the 21 Day Challenge, culinary high school students work with 
a Medical City Children's Hospital registered dietician to learn 
nutrition basics. The students use that knowledge to make snack recipes 
for elementary school students to prepare for themselves. School 
districts in the Dallas area are getting involved in the program and 
encouraging their students to participate in the challenge.
  The Kids Teaching Kids program has seen tangible results. Kids in the 
Dallas community are making healthier choices inside and outside of 
school. In 2014, 4,500 students signed up for the 21 Day Challenge and 
900 completed the challenge. Before the challenge, 16.8% of kids said 
that they did not eat healthy snacks. After the challenge, 83.6% of 
those 16.8% said that they were eating more fruits and vegetables after 
the challenge.
  The impact of this program in our community is visible. The Texas 
Restaurant Association and the Greater Dallas Restaurant Association 
actively support the program. School districts of Dallas, Richardson, 
Plano, Desoto, Rockwall, Irving, Carrollton, Lewisville, Frisco, 
Prosper, Allen, and Wylie currently participate in the program
  Thank you to Medical City Children's Hospital for supporting this 
program and for allowing it to flourish. We need more innovative ideas 
of this nature in every metropolitan area in this country. With the 
support of our peers, we can work to change our habits to become a 
healthier community.

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