U of S experts are available for back-to-school topics

How to pack healthy foods your kids want to eat:
With kids heading back to school on Sept. 5, it is time to start thinking about what to pack as school snacks or in lunches. It can be challenging to pack a lunch that tastes good while providing enough nutrients to keep children active. Professor Gordon Zello, with the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, is available to offer some healthy lunch ideas that everyone can be happy with.

The importance of exercise for the entire family:
Sometimes it is as easy as spending time outside with your kids—physical activity is crucial for bone and muscle development, endurance and weight management among kids and adolescents. According to the Physical Activity Guidelines, children and adolescents should have 60 minutes or more of physical activity daily. Professor Louise Humbert, with the College of Kinesiology, can offer tips on how to create opportunities to be physically active at school and talk about the many benefits for children, along with the many other topics below:

• Keep the physical in education:  Schools are often under pressure to achieve literacy and numeracy outcomes, but what about developing a healthy body?  What is the connection between a healthy body and a healthy mind?
• Physical literacy: In order to form the foundation for a lifetime of physical activity, children need to be offered opportunities to develop physical literacy while they are young. 
• Sport: What does a quality sport experience look like for children?  What should parents be looking for in a sport opportunity for their children?

The benefits of therapy dogs and working with children who have autism:
Professor Saija Kontulainen, with the College of Kinesiology, is available to discuss her research with autism and service dogs. Professor Kontulainen is available Monday after 10:30am and all-day Tuesday

Freshman 15 and how to avoid it:
Adam Baxter-Jones, interim dean of the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, is available to share what students and parents can do to avoid an unhealthy weight gain before you even step foot on campus.

• Gymnastics for life: How one hour a week strengthens bones in children—Adam Baxter-Jones, interim dean of the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

Bullying and cyberbullying:
As children get ready to go back to school, bullying is now a common occurrence. It can take place at school or through electronics and social media (cyberbullying). Grad student John-Etienne Myburgh with the College of Education wants parents to know how they can prevent bullying and cyberbullying as students get ready to head back to school and how to deal with it when it happens. Please note, John is only available for telephone interviews.

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To arrange interviews, please contact:

Jennifer Thoma
Media Relations Specialist
University of Saskatchewan
jennifer.thoma@usask.ca
306-966-1851