Go the Distance Youth Program

Problem:
Youth in Iowa, and particularly in Audubon County, are increasingly practicing behaviors that lead to a higher risk of obesity and diabetes. A significant number fail to follow simple dietary and activity recommendations. According to Audubon School Nurse Jill Hermansen, “1 out of every 5 students fall into the category of obesity.”

Response:
ISU Extension Audubon County Youth Coordinator Tonya Vetter, and Audubon School Nurse Jill Hermansen, developed and conducted a four month program in three Audubon 5th grade classrooms. Food and Fitness Craze II materials served as the base curriculum. Each student received a log book to record daily minutes of physical activity and number of fruits and vegetables consumed. Weekly interactive learning workshops involved local resource people to share information on dental health, hair/nail health, musculo-skeletal health and variety of fruits and vegetables available locally, and exercise. Each classroom came up with a team name. Teams were given the option to create a team t-shirt, which lead to some fund-raisers.

Impact:
Evaluations from students and teachers showed that they better understood the nutritional value and importance of eating a variety of fruits and vegetables, had become more physically active, and were making healthier decisions about food choices for better overall health. They also felt better about themselves and their school performance had improved.

Go the Distance made a difference in 56 fifth grade students and three teachers. Others reinforced concepts throughout the semester in their classes. The art teacher had students use shapes and colors of fruits and vegetables to design ‘people’. The language arts class wrote stories about their experience with this program. The PE teacher involved everyone in new physical activities. A taste testing activity resulted in one student saying, “Yum, I never had bean sprouts before and now I like them!” One said, “I’m going to ask my mom to buy apricots and blueberries. They’re really good.”

Several students started an exercise group afterschool to earn points for their log book. They played a variety of outdoor games or just went walking, One participant said, “I have felt more active and healthy. Not only does it make me active, it makes me more positive and down to earth.” Another said, “Since I started Go the Distance, my family and I go on walks and encourage each other to stay physically fit.”

Audubon Elementary School Principal, David Bintner, said,” I found Go the Distance a positive, child friendly program that fit well into our curriculum and encouraged students to practice healthy behaviors through increased activity levels and better food choices.”

Jill and Tonya earned so much respect and credibility from the school that they have been asked to repeat the program this school year and expand something new for 6th graders!!

Contact:
Mary E. Ottmar, County Extension Education Director
Iowa State University Audubon County Extension
608 Market Street, Audubon IA 50025
Phone 712-563-4239; Fax 712-563-4239
Email ottmar@iastate.edu