Released July 7, 2008
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State University’s School of Family Studies and Human Services and Kansas 4-H are teaming up to deliver a health and wellness program to middle school students in the state, a Kansas State University youth development specialist said.
Why middle school students?
“At this age, students are beginning to make decisions that can impact the rest of their lives,” said Elaine Johannes, an assistant professor in youth development and Extension specialist based in family studies at K-State.
Middle school students typically begin spending more time away from home, with friends who may – or may not – be going out for school sports, choosing electronic entertainment over school, community or physical activities, and deciding whether to experiment with tobacco, alcohol or sex, Johannes said.
Reaching them – and encouraging choices that lead to a healthy lifestyle – is critical at this time, she said.
Working with Johannes is Shane Oram, a K-State student who also is president of the Kansas 4-H Youth Council. The council’s members include teens skilled in leadership, citizenship and program development and delivery from across the state.
The health-promotion effort is dubbed “Health Rocks,” and is funded by a grant from the National 4-H Council. The goal, said Oram, is to train teen leaders, including 4-H members and others, to lead health promotion efforts in their local clubs, organizations and communities. The training curriculum, which was written and evaluated at the University of Nebraska, covers six topical lessons that can be integrated into after-school programs or activities, school and community events:
- Keeping Healthy, which includes health facts;
- You Choose!, which focuses on building decision-making skills;
- Dealing with Difficult Situations, which introduces stress management techniques;
- Oh, the Pressure!, which focuses on peer pressure and reinforces decision-making skills;
- Technology and Media Messages, which focuses on marketing and consumerism; and
- Commitment to Caring, which focuses on citizenship and community.
The educational approach is interactive and incorporates portions of the Coordinated Approach to Child Health Program that is recognized by the National Institutes of Health as an effective approach to increasing physical activity levels, Johannes said.
To date, youth from Cloud, Edwards, Ellsworth, Franklin, Meade, Morris, Osage and Pottawatomie counties have completed Health Rocks training.
More information on the Health Rocks health and wellness program for middle school students is available by contacting a K-State Research and Extension county or district office, or by calling Johannes at 785-532-5773 or Oram at 785-532-5800.
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http://isis.oznet.ksu.edu/KSRENews/story/healthy_choices070708.aspx
Contacts: Elaine Johannes, 785-532-5773, ejohanne@ksu.edu
Shane Oram, 785-532-5800, shoram10@ksu.edu
Nancy Peterson, nancyp@ksu.edu
