Most parents would be ecstatic to hear their children ask for a healthy snack instead of ice cream, cookies, or soda when they come home from school. A child and adolescent nutrition education program from Virginia Cooperative Extension has made this dream a reality for many parents throughout the commonwealth.

Elena Serrano, assistant professor of human nutrition, foods, and exercise, and nutrition specialist for Virginia Cooperative Extension, developed Healthy Weights for Healthy Kids, a research-based program to educate youth about smart nutritional choices. More than 10,000 Virginians, ages 7 to 14, have learned about positive attitudes and behaviors involving diet, physical activity, and body image from this program in an overarching effort to reduce overweight among youth across the state. Read the full story in Solutions.