North Dakota youth displayed their creativity and health and nutrition knowledge this spring in the seventh 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 heart health.

The winners in the preteen category were:

• First place – McKenna Taylor, Valley City
• Second place – Lexi Ondracek, Valley City
• Third place – Annie Manstrom, Wyndmere

The winners of the teen category were:

• First place – Megan Tichy, Tower City
• Second place – Evan Sayler, Bismarck
• Third place – Shailyn Sutherland, Dawson

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 entrants always have creative approaches for promoting healthful eating and fitness,” says NDSU Extension Service food and nutrition specialist Julie Garden-Robinson, who helped organize the contest. “We hope that their messages and pictures inspire 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 for more information about “Eat Smart. Play Hard.” The site has resources for families, singles, teens and children.

NDSU Agriculture Communication - April 8, 2013