Students in Independence taught healthy living

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. - You might call it the new Math or English.

Students at Nowlin Middle School in Independence, Mo., are learning that it just takes a push here, a hop there, plus some smart choices in the lunch line, to add up to a healthy lifestyle.

The Independence School District has been so successful at promoting healthier living that 15 of the district’s schools have received national recognition from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a national group founded by the American Heart Association and the Clinton Foundation.

The recognition has kids talking.

“I think that that is really, really cool and that we know that we are doing good” said Jourdan Walker, a 7th grader at Nowlin.

It's physical education teacher Jen Schwaller’s job to help students and staff members make healthy decisions. Schwaller said the physical fitness part of the equation comes fairly easy, changing eating habits is harder.

“One of the hardest things to do is for students at all ages is to realize you can’t just exercise to be healthy,” explained Schwaller. “You have to consider what you’re taking into your body along with the calories and exercise that you’re putting out of your body, too.”

Nowlin has made changes to address those dietary updates. School lunches now include a lot of fruits and vegetables.

The district will receive its award from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation later this year.