VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – A Family Fun and Fitness Night was held on Thursday, Feb. 22 for the parents and grandparents of fourth-grade students of both Washington Elementary and St. Catherine Elementary.

Over a 7-week period, Andrea Winter and Sharon Buhr, both ON THE MOVE licensed registered dietitians along with Sue Milender Toppen, licensed registered dietitian, NDSU Extension Service in Barnes County worked with the grade 4 students, focusing on specific ways to lead a heart-healthy lifestyle and how to keep a good pressure. They shared take-home activities based on the American Heart Association materials with their parents throughout the lessons.

The healthy heart unit culminated in a Family Fun and Fitness Night where students taught their parents and grandparents about how to read nutrition facts labels, how to eat less sodium, to eat foods rich in calcium and to eat more fruits and vegetables. They also served healthy snacks such as strawberry banana smoothies, blueberry yogurt parfaits and low sodium potato soup.

“Almost one out of two Americans have high blood pressure which can lead to stroke if not treated,” states Andrea Winter, “it’s important to learn at an early age how to keep a healthy pressure.”

The Family Fun and Fitness Night was sponsored by ON THE MOVE at City County Health District.