Healthy Lifestyles in Youth Project

Description

This work will continue to support the Indian Health Service (IHS) mission to improve the health of American Indian / Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth through health promotion and health education programs. The purpose of this IHS cooperative agreement is to focus on addressing healthy lifestyle development, emphasizing nutrition and physical activity for AI/AN children and youth 7 through 11 years of age. The long term goal is to prevent or delay the onset of obesity and related diseases such as type 2 diabetes. National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) will continue partnering work with selected Native American Boys and Girls Club sites to: a) provide health and physical education programs; b) help youth achieve and maintain healthy lifestyles through participation in fitness programs; c) help youth to acquire a range of physical skills; and d) help youth develop a sense of teamwork and cooperation. These early intervention strategies provide evidence based opportunities to reduce and/or halt the increasing trend of obesity and diabetes among youth and young adults. Clubs that develop a health promotion program that includes the "Together Raising Awareness for Indian Life" (TRAIL) curriculum may help curtail the effects of unhealthy eating behaviors and lack of physical activity that can lead to obesity, diabetes, and other chronic diseases later in life. The TRAIL curriculum was developed to provide information on good nutrition and to promote physical activity among youth participating in Native American Boys and Girls Clubs. TRAIL is a three month (12 lessons) program that provides youth with a comprehensive understanding of healthy lifestyles in order to prevent diabetes. Woven throughout the program are self-esteem and prevention activities. Participants draw from Tribal traditions and history to learn about nutrition, healthy food choices, media influences, and the impact of diabetes. Clubs also implement the Nike Let Me Play and SPARK physical activity programs to foster Club-wide participation in fun activities and games for 60 minutes every day. TRAIL emphasizes the importance of teamwork and community service. Members engage in service projects to improve healthy lifestyles in their communities, including starting community gardens to connect youth to their food source and organizing community-wide physical fitness events. Since the inception of the program in 2003, TRAIL has been implemented at over 79 Native American Boys and Girls Club of America sites located in 17 states. There are currently over 50 sites in more than 15 states participating in the program. The overall results show improvement in participant knowledge of diabetes, health, and healthy food choices, as well as, improved fitness and level of physical activity. To support this project, NCAI will select and assist at least 50 Native American Boys and Girls Club sites to establish and implement this curriculum project. Boys and Girl Club sites that are located outside of Tribal communities will not be considered by the grantee. The Boys and Girls Club sites selected by the grantee may use IHS grant funds to provide services to eligible IHS beneficiaries only. The grantee will be expected to: provide technical consultation; train; monitor; evaluate; as well as provide funds to support these activities.

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