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New Mexico State University

Santa Fe County

Community Project Narrative Peport

State: New Mexico
Project Title: JUST BE IT! Healthy and Fit
Location: Santa Fe 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: 3
Number of Sites: 1

Description: JUST BE IT! Healthy and Fit program reduces the risk factors for childhood obesity of 5th grade students at Cesar Chaves Elementary School located in the New Mexico County of Santa Fe. 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 they can provide a supportive environment for youth. Collaborating with the Santa Fe County Extension Office are the City of Santa Fe Parks and Recreation, the Coca Cola Bottling Company of Santa Fe, and the Santa Fe Public schools.

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 10 fifth grade classrooms in order to establish school buy-in to total project. Pre/post knowledge tests were administered to 250 students. Cesar Chaves Elementary was chosen as the treatment 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 250 fifth grade students from 4 schools were transported to Santa Fe County Fair Grounds to receive educational workshops on nutrition education, healthy snacks, and food safety. Community members assisted with coordinating activities for the workshops.

Progress on Integrating Technology:
The County Agent 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. The school for the treatment group was selected by public school personnel. The County Extension agent applied for and received grant funding for the field day portion of the project from the National 4-H Council 2006 Healthy Lifestyles Grant funded by Kraft Foods. A news release on the project was sent to the local paper.