Smart Bodies, a Louisiana school-based program designed to combat obesity, is gaining nationwide recognition in only its third year.
Smart Bodies was developed by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation and the LSU AgCenter to fight childhood obesity in grades K through 5.
Denise Holston, the AgCenter’s program coordinator for Smart Bodies, recently learned that her written manuscript describing Smart Bodies has been accepted by the National 4-H Headquarters as a Program of Distinction - the first program in Louisiana to earn this designation.
Programs of Distinction are projects that reflect the high quality of 4-H youth development programs occurring in communities across the United States. According to 4-H, these projects exhibit strong program development characteristics and contribute to the youth development body of knowledge; convey new ideas, materials or innovative methods related to positive youth development; and demonstrate evidence of effectiveness, such as demonstrated changes in knowledge, behaviors, attitudes or aspirations of youth and adults.
“This is truly an honor, and the Foundation is proud to sponsor Smart Bodies as a signature program,” said Richard Williams, Blue Cross’ senior vice president, provider and customer relations. “By teaching children about making healthy choices early in life, we feel Smart Bodies can reduce or eliminate some of the serious health problems that stem from inactivity and improper nutrition.”
The write-up will be posted for three years in an online Programs of Distinction database at CYFERNet, the website for Children, Youth and Families Education & Resource Network, at www.cyfernet.org.
Smart Bodies is a signature program of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation. The Foundation partnered with the LSU AgCenter because of its proven network of Extension educators located throughout the state who could implement the program in local schools. With childhood obesity in Louisiana reaching epidemic proportions, Smart Bodies provides a comprehensive, interactive health program promoting good nutrition and increased physical activity for children in grades K-5.
Holston and other AgCenter employees have made several presentations on the Smart Bodies program, including an April appearance at the 21st Century Conference in Little Rock, Ark.
Smart Bodies integrates classroom activities with hands-on learning to teach elementary school children how to build strong bodies and develop active minds. The program has three parts: the Louisiana BodyWalk, an interactive walk-through exhibit representing the human body; the OrganWise Guys, fun characters that encourage children to practice healthy habits; and the Take 10! curriculum, a classroom-based nutrition education and physical activity program.
Launched in March 2005, Smart Bodies has been implemented in 52 of 64 parishes throughout the state and has reached 90,842 youth through August 2007. The current goal is to have every parish involved by the end of 2009.
The program is having a profound impact on children. According to Holston, research shows that participating students were twice as willing to taste fruits and vegetables as non-participants. Participants also increased their knowledge of physical activity and were more active during Take 10! activities than non-participants were during recess.
“The statistics on childhood obesity are alarming, but the research on prevention is encouraging,” said Holston. “When children establish good nutrition and exercise habits while young, they have a better chance of keeping those healthy behaviors. The Smart Bodies program has proven to be a successful model for teaching nutrition and the importance of healthy lifestyles in a manner that children can understand.”
To learn more about Smart Bodies, contact Holston at (225) 578-4573 or dholston@agcenter.lsu.edu, or visit www.smartbodies.org.
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana is Louisiana-owned and -operated. Marking its 73rd anniversary this year, the company is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. It is a tax-paying mutual company, owned by its policyholders. Headquartered in Baton Rouge, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana also has district offices in Alexandria, Houma, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Monroe, New Orleans and Shreveport. The company’s subsidiaries include HMO Louisiana, Inc. and Southern National Life Insurance Company, Inc.
About the LSU AgCenter
The LSU AgCenter focuses on providing all Louisiana citizens with innovations, information and education on such topics as lawns and gardens, crops and livestock, family and home, money and business, community matters, food and health, environment and natural resources and kids and teens. It operates a network of extension offices and research stations across Louisiana. For more information, visit the AgCenter’s website at www.lsuagcenter.com.
