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New Mexico State University

Rio Arriba County

Community Project Narrative Report

State: New Mexico
Project Title: JUST BE IT! Healthy and Fit
Location: Rio Arriba County
Project Staff

"Reducing the risk factors for childhood obesity for fifth graders by providing nutrition education, increasing exercise time, and increasing the intake of fruits and vegetables."

Geographic Type: Rural/small town
Number of Collaborating Organizations: 4
Number of Sites: 1
Description: JUST BE IT! Healthy and Fit program reduces the risk factors for childhood obesity for 5th grade students at Alcalde and Velarde Elementary School, located in the New Mexico County of Rio Arriba. The program addresses the national CYFAR school age (K-8) outcome that "school age youth will demonstrate knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behavior necessary for fulfilling contributing lives". Fifth grade students are taught in the classroom several times a month using educational activities focusing on nutrition, exercise, and food safety. Students continue their education on healthy lifestyles in the school classroom with their teachers, who are provided activity kits, the Just Be It! Healthy and Fit curriculum, and other educational resources to use during the school year. Teachers and parents of the students are also provided educational opportunities to learn skills which promote healthy lifestyles so that they can provide a supportive environment for youth. Collaborating with the Rio Arriba County Extension Office are the Rio Arriba County Maternal & Child Health Council, Espanola Public Schools, Presbyterian Health Services, and Espanola Hospital.

Primary Outcome: School-age

Accomplishments:
Program as Implemented:
Advisory board meetings were held to discuss the time frame and procedure for project, use of resources, and curriculum revision. The program coordinator position description was written and the program coordinator, who delivers the educational program in this county, was hired. A field trip educational workshop was conducted for 6 fifth grade classrooms in order to establish school buy-in to the total project. Pre/post knowledge tests were administered to 90 students. Alcalde Elementary and Velarde Elementary were chosen as the treatment group schools and Espanola Elementary was chosen as the control group school. Pretests on nutrition knowledge, activity level, and fruit and vegetable intake were administered to 50 students. Equipment which will increase activity levels in the classroom was chosen.

Progress on Integrating Community:
JUST BE IT! program was introduced to the community by holding a 1/2 day field trip in September, 2006. A total of 90 fifth grade students from six schools were transported to Espanola Middle School East to receive educational workshops on nutrition education, healthy snacks, and food safety. Community members assisted with coordinating activities for the workshop.

Progress on Integrating Technology:
The Program Coordinator met with the Technology Specialist to assist in choosing computer activities for the experimental group to increase nutrition knowledge and to choose equipment to increase activity levels. The project is being integrated with NMSU's game play initiative.

Progress on Sustaining Program:
School personnel were included in planning and implementing educational field days. Schools for the control and treatment group were selected by public school personnel. A news release on the project was submitted to the local Espanola newspaper, which in turn contacted the program coordinator for information.