Latest news with #JaimieDavis
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Study finds unorthodox method to combat childhood obesity: 'Empowers the child to be a champion of change'
A gardening initiative founded in Texas planted a powerful seed of change for over 4,000 elementary school children, introducing them to comprehensive food education and equipping them with the knowledge to grow and cook their own food. The benefits of urban gardening are plentiful, but working specifically with the next generation "empowers the child to be a champion of change in the house," lead researcher Jaimie Davis told Food Tank. In particular, the TX Sprouts study reached areas with less access to fresh produce and higher levels of childhood obesity in "predominantly Hispanic, low-income communities." The year-long program, which included gardening, cooking, and nutrition lessons, found a 20% increase in vegetable consumption and double the amount of exercise on days when children were gardening. Though researchers found no measurable differences in obesity levels, the research suggested that such an impact would take longer to see. In the future, TX Sprouts hopes to study blood glucose levels and the psychological effect of the initiative. Which of these benefits is your biggest motivation in gardening? Getting outside more Growing healthy food Making my yard beautiful I don't garden Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Gardening not only offers a healthy bounty of fruit and veggies but also provides a whole host of positive impacts on mental health, such as reducing stress and anxiety. Likewise, growing your own food reduces the carbon pollution created by having produce shipped from other cities or countries and can save you money in the long run. Being able to harvest only what you need further helps reduce food waste. Experts have also linked introducing gardening from a young age to an increase in motor skills, patience, self-confidence, and environmental awareness. Programs like the one created by TX Sprouts can help instill a lifelong interest in growing food and being connected to the environment, which is a positive prospect for future generations. Davis added, "If a child is involved in growing and caring for the seed they planted, the child is more likely to try it, prefer it, and continue to eat it." She also said that the program resulted in "increased gardening at home," suggesting that children were meaningfully impacted beyond the study. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
UT to host Texas Science Festival to inspire STEAM learning, enthusiasts
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Beginning Friday, the University of Texas at Austin will host science enthusiasts at the Texas Science Festival. The festival is two weeks packed with scientists, science communicators and other science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM) fields. The festival ends March 6. 'From on-campus adventures to dazzling talks to 'science night out' events at locations around Texas, the program has a wide range of offerings for all ages,' organizers said. Jaimie Davis, a UT professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences and interim director of the School of Human Ecology, spoke with KXAN about the event. Davis said the festival kicks off with a seminar on how school gardens and community gardens can improve health and academics. 'It teaches kids how to grow their own food,' Davis said. 'Growing your own foods in school and communities can increase preference and willingness to try those foods.' She said the seminar talks about setting kids up to make lifestyle changes that last into adulthood and encouraging them to eat healthy, whole foods instead of processed foods. Davis said it would also help people learn where their foods come from and learn about eating healthy, which she said has long-term health impacts. 'I think if a child can plant a seed and grow it, they're much more likely to want to try it,' Davis said. 'So, that's the first step to kind of setting these long-term life habits.' Davis said it's important to teach people about science and how it can improve their health and technology. 'A lot of what we teach kids is not only where their food comes from and how to eat it, but environmental stewards concepts — like how to grow their own food using systems like hydroponics,' Davis said. On Saturday, Feb. 22, UT will also host a STEM Girl Day, which gives students a chance to explore STEM through hands-on activities hosted by scientists, engineers, astronomers, mathematicians and other STEM enthusiasts. 'It's really encouraging being a female scientist to encourage young girls to be curious,' Davis said. 'The theme of the festival is 'Fusing Curiosity With Discovery,' and I think that's a really important thing to get girls interested in asking the questions on why and challenging it because we don't want everybody thinking the same. We want new ideas to improve health and technology.' Most festival events are free and open to the public; however, some events require tickets and two events are for audiences over 21. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
