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Young people and families throughout north Louisiana are discovering new ways and exciting ways to develop healthy lifestyles thanks to the “Youth4Health” community outreach program created by Louisiana Tech University’s School of Human Ecology.

Funded by a 2012 grant from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration awarded to Dr. Heather McCollum, assistant professor of family and child studies at Louisiana Tech, Youth4Health combines nutrition, physical activity, gardening, and family components to address the growing challenge of childhood obesity. Youth4Health reaches these young people and their families through youth ministries at local churches and the Boys and Girls Club, and designs and provides all learning materials and activities to each youth group for their curriculum.

Youth4Health students learn about gardening as part of a healthy lifestyle.

“This program aims to break through the barriers of unhealthy food and sedentary lifestyles,” said McCollum.  “Fast food may be convenient to a busy schedule, but it is less than convenient to your health.  Similarly, getting active may seem like an obstacle when in reality it is not.  Youth4Health is here to teach how to eat healthier even on a budget or in a time crunch, and how to become more active even at home with no gym membership required.”

Throughout the year, Youth4Health hosts several events for participants and their families as an opportunity to learn more about adopting healthier lifestyles.  These include quarterly Roundups in which participants enjoy a morning full of physical activity led by Coach Ed Jackson.  There are also workshops and demonstrations on the topics of nutrition and healthy eating habits taught by Susan Hughes, instructor of nutrition and dietetics at Louisiana Tech.

Plants for community gardens are also distributed to each youth group throughout the year. The gardening aspect of the program, led by Master Gardener Isabel Lamptey, teaches participants the importance of integrating healthy produce into the daily diet as well as growing fresh foods versus processed foods.

In addition to the Youth4Health Roundup there will be a summer camp from June 2 through 20, 2014 on campus at Louisiana Tech University that will be held five days per week. Parents also play a role in Youth4Health.

“This is an inclusive approach in that a focus is placed on the parents of participants as agents of change to create a healthier environment for the whole family as well as their child participating in the program,” explains McCollum who leads program discussions regarding the importance of family mealtimes and how they improve children’s school participation and socialization.  “This support will be the catalyst for change and results.  Reducing the prevalence of adolescents who are overweight or obese and educating young people about the importance of a healthy diet and physical activity are main goals of the Youth4Health program.”

Anyone interested in any aspect of this outreach program is encouraged to contact Project Coordinator Olevia McDonald at (318) 257-2607, youth4healthla@gmail.com or visit http://youth4health.weebly.com.
Written by

Ashley Mongrue