Happy National Nutrition Month!

While nutrition is important any day of the year, the month of March motivates us to be healthier with National Nutrition Month. Started in 1973 as March Nutrition Week, this campaign was created to inform and educate the public about the importance of healthy eating and physical activity for total well being.

History

The campaign was created by the American Dietetic Association, today known as the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and was so popular that by 1980 it was expanded from one week to one month. The president announced the first National Nutrition Week, and radios, newspapers, and bumper stickers followed with the headline “Invest in Yourself – Buy Nutrition.” By year two, members of the ADA planned events in community centers, schools, and health care facilities, while newspapers and radios spread the word. Suddenly, the ADA was receiving more attention than ever and promotional items were added to the marketing mix with table tents and posters to showcase the chosen theme and slogan.

https://www.eatright.org/~/media/eatright%20files/nationalnutritionmonth/nnmhistory_032006jada.ashx

Through the years, the styles and methods of communicating March Nutrition Month changed, yet the actual message was never any different – to promote good health through nutrition. By constantly researching and analyzing their messaging, the organization learned how to best speak to their audience.

Today March 2017

Successful marketing on the part of the academy makes this a successful campaign each year and after many years, National Nutrition Month is at it again with this year’s theme of “Put Your Best Fork Forward.” We all know that small changes can lead to big changes, and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics reminds us that this can be applied to our health decisions as well, starting with our next forkful.

http://www.eatright.org/resources/national-nutrition-month

So, happy National Nutrition Month and visit the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ site for ways to put your best fork forward. In the end, it looks like the organization has really taught us two things – 1. That nutrition/exercise is important and 2. We must always learn to find the best way to speak to our audience.