Author: Mackenzie Pogue
Planning Unit: Muhlenberg County CES
Major Program: Health
Plan of Work: Healthy Living: Increasing Physical and Mental Well-Being in Youth
Outcome: Initial Outcome
According to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, 65 percent of Kentucky’s children are not enrolled in regular physical education classes. Kentucky Youth Advocates notes, 16% of Kentucky youth are facing anxiety or depression because of the pandemic. Muhlenberg County Extension partnered with the local health department to tackle these pertinent issues facing our youth through the program, FIT Happens. The goal of FIT Happens was to target high school youth, assess their physical fitness and mental wellbeing, then increase both their physical activity, and provide coping skills related to their mental wellbeing. One hundred youth were engaged in FIT Happens through four projects. An employee from the health department taught weekly yoga classes consistently to students in their physical education class. Here, students learned simple yoga poses to strengthen their physical and mental wellbeing. The Nutrition Education Program Assistant taught the Teen Cuisine curriculum weekly through the culinary arts classroom teaching students kitchen safety, proper tools, and well-balanced meals to promote a healthy diet. A weekly physical activity log was kept by students in the STAND Club (Students Teaching Against Negative Decisions), as well as yoga and the culinary participants. At the end of each month, participants were rewarded for their personal successes. At the end of the three-month program, the 4-H Agent hosted a physical and mental skills finale celebrating their individual and team successes. Students put their skills to the test as they competed in team tournaments playing dodgeball, kickball, and relays. Students tested their knowledge in a game of jeopardy, featuring physical education questions. Additionally, students were led through a series of breathing techniques, mindfulness skills, and mindfulness eating habits. The foundation was laid for youth to build their personal habits utilizing physical and mental well-being skills through FIT Happens. Eighty-seven percent of participants felt more accountable for their physical health by utilizing the weekly log tracking their movement. Ninety-two percent of participants learned new skills in the kitchen through Teen Cuisine. Ninety-four percent of participants better understood the value of practicing yoga to increase their health and well-being. Eighty-five percent of participants plan to continue utilizing FIT Happens skills.
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