Jan. 29, 2007
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The second annual Live it! Go for the Red, White and Blue program began in January in area middle schools in an effort to help families fight the growing epidemic of childhood obesity. Live it! is collaboration between children’s health experts from Vanderbilt and are middle schools, backed by community funding, to encourage students to be active and make healthy eating choices.
“Live It! Go for the Red, White and Blue is designed to be introduced in middle school and build on concepts learned beginning in grade five through grade eight,” said Dianne Killebrew, coordinator of Live It! Go for the Red, White and Blue. “These are pivotal ages when life-long habits are forming and physical activity and proper nutrition are important for a person’s long-term, positive growth and wellness.”
Just like last year, every child begins with a starting measurement of both knowledge and a Body Mass Index score. Vanderbilt student-athletes helped out by visiting Wright Middle School and taking measurements. The middle school students receive a pedometer and Live It! materials to get started. There are classroom competitions where each class/teacher will maintain a Live It! classroom tracker chart. A newspaper will come home weekly with a recipe and physical activity information. Finally, Special Teams will visit the classes every other week and select the healthiest class from the school and the class will receives a prize.
For more information about the program visit www.liveitredwhiteandblue.com.