Students take part in a four-way tug-of-way event at UNK's 22nd Annual Nebraska Kids Fitness and Nutrition Day, (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
KEARNEY —Fourth grade students from across central Nebraska took part in the University of Nebraska – Kearney’s 22nd Annual Nebraska Kids Fitness and Nutrition Day, which was held on Thursday, Sept. 18.
The 22nd annual Nebraska Kids Fitness and Nutrition Day brought more than 760 fourth graders from a 60-mile radius around the UNK campus. The schools include from Alma, Amherst, Axtell, Shelton Elm Creek, Franklin, Holdrege, Kearney and new this year – Southern Valley.
In its 22nd year, the UNK Department of Kinesiology and Sport Sciences hosts the annual event so children can learn about healthy living habits in a fun and supportive environment, according to UNK.
Nebraska Kids Fitness and Nutrition Day is funded by UNK, the Nebraska Beef Council, the Dairy Council and HyVee. The event was created by to Kate Heelan, PhD and Kaiti George, LMNT and implemented by faculty in the Kinesiology and Sport Sciences Department
George, UNK lecturer, registered dietitian and Loper athletics sports dietitian, helped to start the program and noted that it has been ongoing for over 20 years, they always evaluate each year and change things up.
Activities took place from 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at Foster Field, Cushing Coliseum and the Health and Sports Center. When they arrived, students were divided into two groups with one group focusing on physical activities stations while the second group works its way through five different nutrition stations.
Fifteen physical activity stations were set up at Foster Field and include activities such as UNO Fitness, Power Ropes, UNO Fitness and other activities led by the Health and Physical Education students, per UNK.
Meanwhile, nutrition stations will teach youth about energy balance, MyPlate, Portion Distortion, Label Logic and the importance of food safety and washing hands, according to George.
“The primary purpose of the event is to open the eyes of young people to the ways physical activity and nutrition work together to maintain health,” Dr. Bryce Abbey said, adding, “We are dedicated to providing support to help schools achieve their school wellness goals.”
“In addition to educating the fourth graders, the event benefits the nearly 200 UNK students who were involved by allowing them to gain hands-on experience in their future professions,” UNK stated.
When asked what stood out to her this year, George said that the UNK students did an amazing job with the students who responded well to their instructions and activities. She said the event would not be possible without the UNK students.
“Watching our students provide nutrition education in a fun, interactive environment makes this event exciting as a university professor,” said George.
George said that she hopes that the activities and lessons are taken by the students and made lifelong habits, of choosing healthy habits and active play that doesn’t always require competition.
In closing, George said there are a number of schools that have been attending since the start of the event. In one case, one school couldn’t attend because of a conflict with parent-teacher conferences.
However, the school made it clear that they want to be on the list for the event in 2026. George said it says much about the event that this is something the schools seek to be a part of.