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THE 5-2-1-0 HEALTHY KIDS COUNTDOWN
Sponsored in New Hampshire by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation

The 5-2-1-0 Healthy Kids Countdown is a health promotion initiative built on evidence-based messaging that emphasizes healthy nutritional choices and behaviors. The program seeks to help kids live a healthy lifestyle by asking them to do four simple things:

•    Eat five fruits or vegetables per day,
•    Limit screen time (TVs, computers) to two hours or less per day,
•    Get one hour or more of physical activity per day, and
•    Drink zero sugar-sweetened beverages per day.

Developed in 2003, the 5-2-1-0 metric has since been recommended by the American Academy of Pediatricians and adopted by wellness programs across the country.

“Our hope is that through the 5-2-1-0 Healthy Kids Countdown, we will have an immediate impact on the health of underserved children and families—but that also, in the long-term, we will have equipped future health professionals and community leaders with the tools to address childhood obesity in an empowering way that emphasizes individual choices,” says ASF Executive Director Sylvia Stevens-Edouard, who played a key role in developing 5-2-1-0 during her time as the senior director of Children’s Health Initiatives at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts.

2012-13 Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation Schweitzer Fellows
2011-12 Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation Schweitzer Fellows
2010-11 Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation Schweitzer Fellows
  • Suzannah Luft, Dartmouth Medical School
    Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation Schweitzer Fellow
    Luft addressed the health of children and adults with special needs by running an outdoor summer arts program for them. The program included a focus on healthy behaviors and draw on the 5-2-1-0 Healthy Kids Countdown. It culminated with a community arts festival on the town green and a collaborative sculptural project. Additionally, Luft worked with Voices of Children at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center to incorporate reflection through art into children’s hospital experiences during clinic days. Community Site: AVA Gallery and Art Center
  • Claire McKenna, Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth
    Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation Schweitzer Fellow
    McKenna aims to combat health issues like obesity and diabetes by creating cooking classes and spreading nutritional awareness and information to under-resourced people living in the Upper Valley, incorporating the 5-2-1-0 Healthy Kids Countdown.
    Community Site: Upper Valley Haven; Willing Hands
  • Stephanie Pan, Dartmouth Medical School
    Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation Schweitzer Fellow                                           
    Pan aimed to improve the overall health of un- and underinsured Upper Valley residents and their families by creating and expanding a dental education program at the Red Logan Dental Clinic. The program provided information about proper dental hygiene, nutrition (including the 5-2-1-0 Healthy Kids Countdown), and smoking/tobacco cessation so that after un- and underinsured individuals receive dental services, they are empowered to maintain their oral health for a longer period of time. Community Site: Red Logan Dental Clinic

5-2-1-0 Healthy Kids Countdown - Downloadable Resources

Poster

Weekly Tracking Sheet