The Healthy Lifestyles Program is an initiative of the larger Move More Kids program designed to have a multidisciplinary approach in addressing healthy lifestyle choices for kids and their families.  The program is 10 weeks in length and provides both a physical activity and education component.  The program is intended to give the tools needed to permanently change life long habits.

This year’s Healthy Lifestyles Program was held at the Madison Junior High School with 6 students in grades 6^th and 7^th grade. The students were introduced to 10 different physical activities including: yoga, tai chi, bowling, swimming, orienteering, line dancing, snowshoeing, weight lifting, Generation Fit and hiking. The Nutritional component offered education on the 5-2-1-0 message, portion control, menu planning, a visit to the grocery store and cooking a healthy meal. The behavioral health component offered education on setting goals, identifying triggers and the ABC’s of behavior and positive reinforcement.

The program was a success with full participation from both students and parents. One student reported that he is ‘finally able to wear a belt’. Another student reported that ‘he eats much slower and enjoys his food more, including eating more fruits and vegetables.’ A parent reported that ‘she learned a lot from the grocery shopping tour and offers more fruits and vegetables to all of her children.’

Our goal is to expand this afterschool program to 2 school districts to reach more students and their families.