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DAAN provides healthy living curriculum, materials to area school teachers
DAAN is an initiative designed for community members to inspire wise nutrition and activity choices. The word "DAAN" is a Native American term meaning to live a healthy, balanced life. The program was initially designed and piloted in partnership with health experts from Buffalo Hospital and several schools in Wright County to teach children and their families about healthy living habits. New Ulm area schools are the first to implement the program outside the pilot area. The DAAN curriculum is being taught to grades 2, 3 and 4 at Jefferson, Washington, St. Anthony's and St. Paul's schools – reaching approximately 650 children. "The kits include the curriculum manuals which outline eight specific lessons and the teachers can implement them as feasible throughout the school year," explained NUMC Pediatric Dietitian Rebecca Fliszar, who is available to consult with the schools and assist with the curriculum. "We have tried to make this as streamlined as possible so that it doesn't become a hurdle for the teachers or reduce core curriculum time – we just want it to be part of their lesson plans." Although DAAN falls under the Childhood Obesity Initiative that NUMC committed to over a year ago, it is not a weight loss program, Fliszar said. "With the knowledge of what good nutrition and activity entails we can, by proxy, address the issues that are underlying in the obesity issue," Fliszar said. "Those kids who are underweight will benefit, too. It is all about getting to the weight and lifestyle that are most healthy. You have to find where you feel the healthiest, where you feel the best." There is also a parental component to the program, said Deb Hertling, who is managing the project for NUMC and is available to support the schools as needed. "There is a monthly newsletter that we distribute to the schools so the teachers can send it home with the kids and parents can see what they have been learning about good nutrition and activity in school and hopefully implement some of that at home," Hertling said. The program is getting a positive reception from teachers. "This is above and beyond the regular health curriculum. Often, health is the last chapter of the year," explained Jefferson Elementary School third grade teacher Janel Sasser. "Now we know these lessons are getting the attention they should have." Each DAAN kit includes things like a skeleton, food models, posters, pedometers, food bingo games and more. Within the DAAN curriculum, Sasser's class has talked about the food pyramid, lunch menus, healthy choices, how many calories children their age should have each day and they have learned to read food labels. "It makes them stop and think about things. We know they aren't always going to make the healthy choice," Sasser said. "At least this gives them the information to stop and think about their choices." Wendy Ristau, third grade teacher at St. Paul's Elementary, said she can already see the comprehension taking hold in her students. "They bring in snacks on a regular basis or treats for their birthdays, and I can already see their choices starting to change for the better," Ristau said. "I think they have been surprised by what is junk food. They thought junk food was just candy bars. They are realizing that sugar cereals, snack cakes and even home made cookies fall in that category." A great advantage to the program, said Jo Derksen, a second grade teacher at New Ulm Area Catholic Schools, is reaching the students in the younger grades. "As a coach and teacher, I see the benefits of good nutrition and activity," Derksen said. "If they learn it young, it'll really sink in and maybe won't have to be re-taught in later years." Ristau agreed. "If they get this information three years in a row, I think it's really going to sink in," she said. Working with young women as a coach, Derksen said she can see how this kind of program could be a great asset to teaching about positive body image for youngsters, too. "This sends a really positive message about what a healthy body is supposed to be," Derksen said. Fliszar has also been available to consult with the cafeteria meal planning at area schools, she said. "Just looking at some simple ways to cut fat, making sure the kids have healthy choices and making minor changes like wheat bread instead of white can really make a big difference," she said. In addition to the grant from the New Ulm Optimist Club, NUMC, Walgreens and Dr. Richard Dannenberg have made donations to the program to ensure no cost was imposed on any of the schools involved. Related Links New Ulm Medical Center: Programs take aim at childhood obesity Buffalo Hospital: DAAN™ inspires healthy choices Allina Hospitals & Clinics: Childhood obesity prevention  Back to Health Edition |
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New Ulm Medical Center
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The New Ulm Medical Center is partnering with second, third and fourth grade teachers at area schools to take their Childhood Obesity Initiative objectives to a broader audience. Thanks to a $22,000 grant from the New Ulm Optimist Club, the NUMC Foundation was able to purchase three DAAN kits for area schools. 