The USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion launched a new initiative this past March, MyPlate On Campus, to help spread healthy eating messages to young adults during their college years. MyPlate On Campus is a unique program that encourages students to improve their own eating and physical activity habits as well as promote healthy eating to their peers. Most college students are emerging out on their own for the first time and perhaps vulnerable to the busy days of assignments, eating on-the-go, and making their own food decisions. MyPlate On Campus provides students around the country with the tools to communicate the messages supporting the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans to their campus community. Students who are interested in promoting health and wellness are invited to sign up as a MyPlate On Campus Ambassador and become a member of the USDA/CNPP Nutrition Communicators Network.
Ambassadors complete an online training module that encompasses four main sections—MyPlate and Dietary Guidelines overview, Ways To Stay Healthy on Campus, SuperTracker User’s Guide, and How To Be an Effective MyPlate Ambassador. In addition, the MyPlate On Campus toolkit contains ChooseMyPlate.gov resources and activity ideas for participants. School faculty, food service providers, student organizations and departments can help support this initiative by promoting the program and encouraging students to volunteer their time as a MyPlate On Campus Ambassador. The program is designed to motivate students to lead healthier lifestyles and strengthen their leadership skills. CNPP is pleased to see over 480 college students enrolled the in the program as of July 2013 and looks forward to more involvement during the 2013-2014 school year.
Follow MyPlate on Twitter @MyPlate and on Facebook to learn more about the MyPlate On Campus initiative. MyPlate On Campus reflects recommendations from the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. For more information visit ChooseMyPlate.gov
