Childhood obesity is now a huge concern of pediatricians and parents. Even fast food restaurants are offering healthier meals for the young.
In conjunction with Coordinated School Health, 5th grade students from Lafayette Elementary School, Red Boiling Springs, and Westside participated in Girl Force/Boy Force. This is the third year for this event, however this is the first year that all three schools were able to participate.
The "Forces" is a fast paced unique way for boys and girls to learn about good nutrition, different types of physical activities, body image, and the hazards of smoking. The entire course last about four hours.
The Girl Force workshop was held at the Lafayette Elementary School. Teachers and high school mentors participated in several aerobic exercises and informative classes.
The activities included kick boxing, step aerobics, cheer leading, sit-ups, and the exercise ball.
The classes included body image, healthy eating courses, and how to live a tobacco and alcohol free life.
The message that Girl Force hopes to send is that exercise is a blast, smoking is not cool, and the best body size is the one that is healthiest for each individual girl.
With the help of the mentors, the girls learned new and fun ways to be physically active with various activities.
The Girl Force workshop was developed at Vanderbilt University. In collaboration with Vanderbilt University the girls were asked to fill out a pre and post survey that will be sent to Vanderbilt to be reviewed. This is a way for Vanderbilt to evaluate the success of the program and make necessary changes.
This year marked the second year for the Boy Force.
5th grade male students once again traveled to the National Guard Armory to spend time with high school teachers, mentors, and members of the National Guard Armory.
The Boy Force participants worked together in mobile team challenges. Classes to discuss body image, hygiene, and a healthier lifestyle were also held for the boys.
The classes are a great way for the young men to learn to express their feelings in a non-violent way. It was also important that the leaders, men from the National Guard Armory and high school mentors and teachers, provide positive ideas for the students.
Students enjoyed a healthy lunch and at the end of the day they were awarded door prizes and each student received a gift bag with exercise information, personal hygiene items, and information about maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
This workshop was designed to teach girls and boys the correct way to maintain a healthy lifestyle. With this class, they will have the motivation and understanding of the correct way to live a positive and healthy life.
The program needs more men and women from the community to become involved. They need strong people from the county to teach the next generation how to become mature and healthy adults.
Janice York, Clinical Diabetes Nurse and Patient Educator had this to say, "We had 99.9 percent participation. All the kids had a wonderful time learning about the hazards of smoking, good physical activities, good nutrition, and a healthy body image."
She also said, "The high school mentors are already excited about coming back next year."
If you would like to become involved with Girl Force or Boy Force for next year contact the Macon County School Board.
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