~HMS~ Heart Health Initiative
~Show Your Heart Some Love~
~Show Your Heart Some Love~
Heart Health Initiative (HHI) — Mission Statement
The Heart Health Initiative (HHI) is a student-led program dedicated to helping middle school students make heart-smart food choices every day. Our mission is to inspire our peers to understand the power of healthy eating by learning about portion control, the benefits of fruits and vegetables, the value of lean meats, and the impact of superfoods. Through education, teamwork, and fun activities, HHI empowers students to build lifelong habits that keep their hearts strong and their futures bright.
The Heart Health Initiative empowers students and teachers with science-backed education, practical recipes, and heart health-ready resources to build lifelong heart-healthy habits. We partner with schools, families, and communities to make healthy eating simple, enjoyable, and equitable — so every child can grow up with the nutrition knowledge and food environments that protect their hearts now and for decades to come.
Recent research shows cardiovascular health (CVH) trajectories in children begin to decline around age 10, driven mainly by changes in behaviors — including diet, sleep, and activity — rather than fixed biological factors. That early inflection creates a pivotal window for schools to shape habits before decline accelerates. JAMA Network
Studies also link early-life excess weight gain, higher childhood blood pressure, and increased abdominal fat with preclinical signs of vascular aging (for example, thicker carotid intima-media and increased arterial stiffness) in adolescence — measurable changes that predict higher adult cardiovascular risk. Intervening during childhood therefore reduces cumulative exposure to these risk factors and lowers the lifetime burden of heart disease. PMC
Finally, comprehensive reviews show that rising childhood obesity and related behavioral risk factors are already changing the landscape of pediatric cardiovascular risk — reinforcing that practical, school-centered nutrition education and healthier food environments are urgent public-health priorities. SpringerLink
We translate the latest science into classroom-ready tools so teachers and students can confidently learn and teach heart-healthy eating, and so students leave school with the knowledge and habits that protect their hearts for life. JAMA Network
Trajectory of Cardiovascular Health Across Childhood and Adolescence (2024)
Tracked ~1,523 children; found that cardiovascular health scores begin to drop around age 10, mainly due to behaviour changes (diet, activity) rather than just health numbers. JAMA Network
Predictors in Youth of Adult Cardiovascular Events (2024)
Followed 11,550 adolescents into adulthood; found that factors like overweight/obesity, high BP, smoking in adolescence predict adult cardiovascular events. PubMed
Non‑Traditional Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Adolescents with Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome May Predict Future Cardiovascular Disease (2023)
In 89 obese adolescents with metabolic syndrome + 60 controls: looked at non-traditional risk markers (e.g., hs-CRP, ApoB/ApoA1, NAFLD) to see if they help predict future heart disease. MDPI
Association of Physical Activity and Screen Time with Cardiovascular Disease Risk in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study (2024)
In ~4,700 U.S. adolescents (ages 10-15): studied how screen time + physical activity jointly relate to risk markers (blood pressure, HbA1c, cholesterol). BioMed Central
Mediterranean Diet and Cardiometabolic Biomarkers in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta‑Analysis (2024)
Review/meta-analysis of RCTs: found that Mediterranean-style diet in children/adolescents is linked with better blood pressure, triglycerides, LDL, HDL. JAMA Network
Social Vulnerability and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Adolescents (2024)
Studied how social vulnerability (food insecurity, socioeconomic status) is associated with cardiovascular risk profiles in adolescents. BioMed Central
The Global Burden and Risk Factors of Cardiovascular Diseases in Adolescent and Young Adults, 1990–2019 (2024)
Large epidemiological study: maps how cardiovascular disease burden and risk-factors have changed for adolescents and young adults globally from 1990-2019. BioMed Central
Association of Mental Health in Childhood, Adolescence and Young Adulthood with Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Carotid Remodeling Below Age 30 (2025)
Followed ~4,361 participants and found that poorer mental health from childhood/teen years is linked with worse cardiovascular risk factors and structural vessel changes by early adulthood. SpringerLink
Blood Pressure Level in Late Adolescence and Risk for Cardiovascular Events: A Cohort Study (2023)
In >1 million adolescent males: higher blood pressure in late adolescence (even “pre-hypertensive” levels) was strongly associated with increased risk of major CV events later in life. American College of Cardiology
Clustering of Diet and Physical Activity Behaviours in Adolescents Across Home and School Area‑level Deprivation in Cameroon, South Africa, and Jamaica (2024)
Surveyed ~527 adolescents in low-/middle-income countries: investigated how diet + activity behaviours cluster together in relation to area-level deprivation and how that might impact future risk of non-communicable diseases.BioMed Central
Who are the HMS HHI:
Keith Lamber was born and raised in Hackensack, where his family’s roots run deep. His grandfather built their home on Williams Avenue, right across from Jackson Avenue School, where Keith spent much of his childhood. A proud graduate of Hackensack High School, Keith comes from generations of Comets—his whole family went through Hackensack Public Schools!
He’s been teaching and coaching in Hackensack for nearly 30 years and now teaches in Room 124—the very same classroom where he learned Language Arts and Social Studies as a 7th grader. Keith still calls Hackensack home and lives on Clinton Place, the famous “Halloween Street.” If you see him around town—on Main Street, at Noches, Target, or 7-Eleven—be sure to wave hello. He was once a kid from Hackensack, too!
Adrian was born in the USA and is of Ecuadorian heritage. He is 11 years old and enjoys a variety of sports, including soccer, basketball, football, and volleyball.
Adrian can speak both Spanish and English, and one of his talents is being able to shoot a soccer ball about 50 feet in the air. He enjoys playing games like Steal a Brainrot, Plants vs Brainrots, FC 25, and FC 26, and his favorite foods are burritos, tacos, and more.
Aiden was born in New Jersey and is of Indian heritage. He is 11 years old and a dedicated student, having made the Principal’s List three times and the Honor Roll once.
Aiden enjoys coding, drawing, and playing tennis. His favorite game is Geometry Dash, and his favorite food is burgers.
Alexander was born in the United States and spent six years living in Massachusetts before moving back home. He is 11 years old, turning 12 in November, and has made the Honor Roll for three marking periods.
Alexander plays football, baseball, and basketball, loves to travel to new places, and enjoys playing Roblox, watching anime and movies, and exploring science, his favorite subject. Recess is another favorite part of his day, and he especially loves swordfish tacos.
Daniella was born on May 14, 2014, in Hackensack, New Jersey, and her parents are from Ecuador. She is 11 years old and currently in 6th grade. Daniella has done an amazing job in school, earning the Principal’s List all year and getting straight A’s twice!
She enjoys volleyball, soccer, and art, and she’s pretty good at drawing. Daniella speaks both English and Spanish, and her favorite foods are lasagna and Caesar salad. She has two sisters and one brother, ages 24, 12, and 22, and a 3-year-old tabby cat named Mae.
Dillon was born in Queens, New York, and is eleven years old. He is from Antigua and Barbuda, a small island in the Caribbean, and is a dedicated student who has made the Honor Roll three times.
Dillon enjoys soccer and baseball, and his favorite game to play is JWE 2. He also loves music, with Little Darkie being his favorite rapper. His favorite color is orange, specifically the shade used for the words in Holes, and his favorite food is ramen.
Edwin was born in Ecuador and is 11 years old. He is a dedicated student, having earned Straight A’s for three marking periods and made the Principal’s List once.
Edwin loves painting, drawing, playing, and watching soccer, and he is excellent at drawing. His favorite games are Roblox, FIFA, and Spider-Man, and his favorite food is noodle soup.
Gavin was born on October 13, 2013, in Hackensack, New Jersey, and is from the USA. He is 11 years old and a dedicated student, having made the Honor Roll every marking period since attending Hackensack Middle School.
Gavin enjoys playing football, biking, and going on rideouts. One of his talents is that he can spin a basketball on his finger. He also loves watching Dragon Ball Z, and his favorite foods are Chinese food and McDonald’s.
Jailis was born on January 11, 2014, and is of Dominican heritage. She is 11 years old and a dedicated student, having made the Honor Roll once.
Jailis enjoys drawing and 3D printing, and she can speak a bit of Spanish. Known for being spunky and fierce, her favorite food is patalitos.
Julian was born in Hackensack, New Jersey, and is part Puerto Rican. At eleven years old, he is a dedicated student, having made the Honor Roll and Principal’s List all year last year.
Julian is passionate about American football and plays for the Dark Knights, where he earned a championship ring. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, and his favorite food is skirt steak.
Keissy Minchala was born in Manhattan, New York, and is 11 years old. She has two siblings and is a dedicated student, having made the Principal’s List all four semesters last year.
Keissy enjoys playing soccer and volleyball for fun. Known for being quiet and steadfast, she brings focus and determination to everything she does.
Kenneth is 10 years old and lives in Hackensack, New Jersey. He was born in April 2015 and has three siblings and a dog named Spiky. Kenneth loves to swim and is proud of earning Honor Roll for the 2nd Marking Period. His favorite food is rice with a little tuna on top.
Mia was born on July 8, 2014, in the United States. Her mom is from Ukraine, and her dad is from the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, giving her a rich cultural background. She is a bright student, having made the Principal’s List three times and earned straight A’s once.
Mia is active and enjoys softball, volleyball, flag football, and cheerleading. She also loves watching TV, going for walks, hanging out with friends, and playing Roblox, especially “99 Nights in the Forest” and creating outfits in the game. Her favorite foods are mac and cheese and mozzarella sticks.
Mina was born in New Jersey and is Japanese. She is 11 years old and a dedicated student, having earned Straight A’s twice and made the Principal’s List four times.
Mina enjoys swimming and practicing Aikido. She can speak Japanese and plays the violin. Her favorite foods are sushi, curry, and ramen.
Munzir Eltom is 11 years old and in 6th grade. He was born in Sudan, while his siblings were born in the United States. Munzir has four siblings — one younger sister and three older brothers — and a pet cat named Gia.
He’s part of the G+T program and takes two Enrichment Classes this year. Munzir enjoys playing games, playing sports, and talking with friends. He can ride a bike, and his favorite food is a cheeseburger!
Musa Elliott is 11 years old and part of the Heart Health Initiative (HHI). He lives in Hackensack, New Jersey, with his family of five, including his younger sister, older brother, mom, and dad.
Musa enjoys Minecraft, coloring, and playing family board games, and he values spending time with his loved ones.
Tatiana was born on November 29, 2013, in Teaneck, New Jersey. She is of Cuban-Colombian heritage with Spanish descent and is 11 years old. Tatiana is a dedicated student, having made the Honor Roll twice and the Principal’s List twice.
She enjoys swimming, flag football, and softball, and she loves hot fries. Tatiana has traveled to the Dominican Republic and Mexico. Known for being super bubbly and a good listener, she brings energy and kindness to everything she does.