North Dakota youth displayed their creativity and health and nutrition knowledge this spring in the ninth annual North Dakota “Eat Smart. Play Hard.” poster contest.

The North Dakota State University Extension Service, North Dakota Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and NDSU Center for 4-H Youth Development co-sponsored the poster contest, which was open to youth age 8 to 19. Entrants competed in two categories: preteen and teen.

Besides promoting healthful eating and regular physical activity, this year’s contest entrants were encouraged to include messages about sun safety.

The winners in the preteen category were:

• First place - Laura Muggli, Carson (Grant County)
• Second place - Caitlin Reiten, Kathryn (Barnes County)
• Third place - Gina Quamme, Wahpeton (Richland County)

The winners of the teen category were:

• First place - Wesley Kemp, Cavalier (Pembina County)
• Second place - Alyssa Kemp, Cavalier (Pembina County)
• Third place - Megan Tichy, Tower City (Cass County)

Winners received $50 for first place, $35 for second place and $15 for third place. In addition, all contestants received a certificate of recognition and an “Eat Smart. Play Hard.” item.

“The poster contest is one of the ways for children to use their creativity to promote healthy eating among their peers,” says NDSU Extension Service food and nutrition specialist Julie Garden-Robinson, who helped organize the contest. “We hope that the activity inspires other children and families to eat smart and play hard.”

“Eat Smart. Play Hard.” is an initiative of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service. It aims to make America’s children healthier by providing practical suggestions to motivate kids and their caregivers to eat a healthful diet and be physically active.

The NDSU Extension Service and Bison Athletics launched a statewide campaign of the same name in 2005.

Visit http://www.ndsu.edu/eatsmart and the Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/eatsmart for more information about “Eat Smart. Play Hard.” The site has resources for families, singles, teens and children.

NDSU Agriculture Communication - April 29, 2015