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Mercy Insights is published as a community service for the friends and partners of CHI Mercy Health, 570 Chautauqua Blvd., Valley City, ND 58072-3199, (701) 845-6400. www.mercyhospitalvalleycity.org. Keith E. Heuser, Market President Information in Mercy Insights comes from a wide range of medical experts. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your healthcare provider. Models may be used in photos and illustrations. Copyright © 2015 10463M Mercy Hospital 570 Chautauqua Boulevard Valley City, ND 58072-3199 THIS PUBLICATION IN NO WAY SEEKS TO SERVE AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL CARE. CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE UNDERTAKING ANY FORM OF MEDICAL TREATMENT OR ADOPTING ANY EXERCISE PROGRAM OR DIETARY GUIDELINES. Strong Hearts From the Start The Young People's Healthy Heart Program at CHI Mercy Health helps those who are young, and young at heart, establish healthy habits. Founded in 1982 at CHI Mercy Health, the Young People's Healthy Heart Program is designed to use visual aids, lesson plans, and other tools to teach heart health education to patients of all ages. "I graduated from the University of Minnesota with a master's degree in public health and nutrition," says Sharon Buhr, LRD, MPH, Young People's Healthy Heart Director, and the program's founder. "That developed into wanting to provide a way for people in the community, especially children, to live healthier lifestyles." FOOD FOR THOUGHT The Young People's Healthy Heart Program works mostly with younger children to help them understand the nuances of nutrition. Sharon has developed lesson plans for teachers of kindergarten through sixth grade that help children learn how to read a food label, prepare healthy snacks, and exercise an appropriate amount. Teachers also help kids set goals, such as eating three servings of whole grains in a day. All the lesson plans are available for free online, and teachers can purchase the program's unique test-tube visuals, which help both adults and children see the eye-popping amounts of sugar, fat, and salt that are in popular foods—as well as how little of those ingredients exist in healthier alternatives. Funds from the purchase of these test-tube visuals support physical activity and nutrition programs across North Dakota. "At CHI, we're called to create healthier communities," Sharon says. "We want everyone to know that the healthy choice really can be the easy choice." Call (701) 845-6456 or visit www.healthyheartprogram.com to learn more. Students are often amazed at the amount of sugar found in various foods. After seeing the test-tube visuals, they can take them home and show their parents. Sharon counsels a woman on heart health using the test-tube visuals.